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coin
;
medallion
Object Type
coin
medallion
Museum number
1896,0608.99
Denomination
solidus
, 2
Description
Gold medallion.
(whole)
Bust of Constantine I, cuirassed, head, helmeted, with chin strap, right.
(obverse)
Two Victories, winged, draped, standing right and left, holding inscribed shield on inscribed altar between them.
(reverse)
State
Associated with:
Roman Empire
Ancient Greece and Rome: Roman Empire
Authority
Ruler:
Constantine the Great
Cultures/periods
Roman Imperial
Production date
315
Production place
Minted in:
Ticinum
Materials
gold
Dimensions
Die-axis:
6 o'clock
Weight:
8.540 grammes
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments
Contemporary to the famous arch of Constantine at Rome, this medallion contains similar messages. The reverse records vows upheld over the past ten years (up to 25th July AD 315) and those offered up to take the emperor to the twentieth anniversary. The legend commemorates the ‘joyful victories’ of ‘our emperors’ (the double denoted by the two Gs of AVGG). Likewise, the arch at Rome tacitly recognised Constantine’s then partner Licinius with his occasional appearance in the sculptural scenes.
Bibliographic references
PCR / Principal coins of the Romans: Volume I: The Republic c. 290 - 31 BC; Volume II: The Principate 31 BC - AD 296; Volume III: The Dominate AD 294 - 498.
(1294)
RIC7 / The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 7: Constantine and Licinius AD 313-337
(25, p.362)
(type)
Location
Not on display
Exhibition history
Exhibited: 2006 31 Mar-29 Oct, York, Yorkshire Museum, Constantine
Subjects
emperor/empress
allegory/personification
classical deity
Associated names
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Constantine the Great
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Nike/Victoria/Victory
Acquisition name
Purchased from:
Rollin & Feuardent
Previous owner
Previous owner/ex-collection:
Hyman Montagu
Acquisition date
1896
Department
Money and Medals
Registration number
1896,0608.99
Conservation
Treatment
: 26 Jun 2002