medallion
- Museum number
- 1844,1015.308
- Description
-
Gold medallion of Constantine I. (whole)
-
Laureate bust of Constantine I, wearing trabea and holding scipio and globe. (obverse)
-
Emperor togate and laureate standing right, holding globe and sceptre. (reverse)
- Production date
- 326
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 38 millimetres
-
Weight: 13.23 grammes
- $Inscriptions
-
-
-
- Curator's comments
- The consular imagery suggests this piece may have formed part of the celebrations marking Constantine's seventh appointment as consul for the year AD 326 (his first to be taken after his conquest of the east). The blatant (to modern eyes) distribution of monetary gifts as part of a new consul's duties is illustrated on the well known page from the Calendar of 354 showing Constantius II scattering coins while similarly dressed in a trabea (intricately patterned consular toga) and holding a scipio or eagle-tipped sceptre. The reference SENATVS on the reverse suggests that the other members of the senate were the intended recipients (while corresponding examples of smaller medallions exist with the legend EQVIS ROMANVS for members of the lesser equestrian order, see Toynbee 1986, pp.116-7).
- Location
- On display (G68/dc6/p1)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2007 2 Jun-4 Nov, Germany, Trier, Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Constantine the Great
- Acquisition date
- 1844
- Acquisition notes
- Th.III.2888.
- Department
- Coins and Medals
- Registration number
- 1844,1015.308
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: B.11463 (formerly allocated)
-
Miscellaneous number: HSBC.771 (Money Gallery Exhibited)
- C&M catalogue number
-
RM (BMCRM) (85) (1)
