The reverse including 3 standards or columns on this Constantinian coin drew my attention. That's the first time I come across such a design. Please assist me to clear out this issue. There also seem to be an eagle on the middle standard. Thank you..
A scarce issue, typically found in lower grades. This is Victor Clark's note on the type... "This type commemorates Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the battle of Milvian bridge; and was struck only by the mints he had just gained control over - Rome and Ostia (then Arles after Ostia shut down and transferred there)."
Rome mint SPQR Optimo Principi is a less often seen but not really rare type. Mine is weak on the eagle and top but may give the idea. Yours appears to me to be one worth very careful cleaning since it has detail showing that might be made more clear. The operative word here is 'careful'. Go slow.
Thanks a lot JA. I remember that a few days ago you posted a coin related to that same Historical Event. Right ?.
Don't you think it's surprising that Constantine did not include any cross in this commemorative coin. It marked his victory after the famous historical vision of the Cross. ??
I believe yours is RQ = Roma Quarta 4th officina. Mine is Prima or 1st. Maybe a little cleaning will clarify the reading???
Yes, but Christianity was not yet widespread in the empire. He would have risked alienating many people (most actually) that still adhered to the traditional pantheon.
Not really. I wouldn't want to profess Christianity so soon and get overthrown the next day by an angry pagan population either
Christian symbolism on Roman coins did not appear until 316 or later, a few years after Constantine's vision and the battle of the Milvian bridge. For coins with early Christian symbolism, see here: http://esty.ancients.info/Christian/ChristianSymbols.html By the way, the coin types on that site provide convincing evidence that Constantine's vision was of a chi-rho, not of a cross.
