The Vexillum was a Roman rectangular banner or flag that was attached to a horizontal pole. When it was ornamented with the Christogram (Chi-Rho), it was called a Labarum. Separate units of the Roman army had their vexilla, like cohorts, and if it disappeared during the war, they were disbanded. In ancient times, it was the banner of the infantry, and in imperial times - both infantry and cavalry; its red color evolved only within the tone: purple, scarlet, bright red, crimson .A rare monument, the painting of the rostrum in the pronaos of the Bela temple in Dura Europos, also represents a vexillum in red. Judging by the written sources, in the richest version it had an image of the emperor embroidered in gold or his name; the name and symbol (for example, the head of a bull) of the part to which the banner belonged was often indicated. It is important that banners usually flutter from the wind, their fringe trembles - this is especially evident in the scene of Septimius Severus's appeal to the troops on his arch in Rome (203 AD) . This is a “true unique” and only genuine example of a Roman military vexillum that has come down to us; it is also a very rare example of Roman painting on fabric. An almost square piece of linen, whose height is slightly greater than the width, with a fringe sewn from below, was once attached to a high pole or spear. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Russia The accepted dating of the banner is the first half of the 3rd century.With a purple background, it represents Victoria, the golden goddess of victory, wearing a wreath, standing on a globe in a fluttering tunic and cloak. In both hands she holds victory signs: in her right - a laurel wreath with a medallion and fluttering ribbons, in her left - a palm branch. In the corners are placed the same gold filling ornaments - gammadia. This vexillum is a Roman military banner, widely known both from historical sources and in iconography. The most expressive banners are presented on the reliefs of the column of Trajan; on the base of the column of Antoninus Pius in Rome (after 161 AD) in the scene of a horse parade of officers; on the column of Marcus Aurelius, as, for example, in the episode of the passage through the river; on other reliefs of the emperor - with scenes of the triumphal entry into Rome, his acceptance of the defeated barbarians and sacrifice; on the honorary arch of Septimius Severus in Leptis Magna (203–204 AD) in many episodes, of which the emperor’s triumph scene is especially significant. Column of Trajan, Quirinal Hill Rome Temple of Hadrian, Campus Martius Rome Column of Marcus Aurelius, Piazza Colonna Rome The idea of fluttering, awe of the panel, as well as Victoria’s clothes and the ribbons of her laurel wreath, has deep meaning in the context, the origin of which is undoubtedly ritual: structurally, the banner reproduces the image of the sacred tree with a trunk and a living crown trembling in the wind. Before becoming a military symbol and sign, masts with a banner belonged to the sanctuary, the place of death and the resurrection of God, where they were installed at the ritual moment - on holidays: they are known in Egypt, in Crete-Mycenaean Greece. Their funerary context is evident in the archaic traditions of Asian peoples. That is why they are widely known in the eastern part of the empire in the temples of the gods they represent (sometimes replace statues, sometimes flank them). Now it would be interesting to see your own examples of vexillum on coins. Here are some of mine : Volusian Crispus Licinius II
An example from the later Empire. Arcadius, A.D. 395-408 AE23, 5.7 grams, Antioch mint Obverse: D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG Rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right Reverse: GLORIA ROMANORVM Emperor standing facing, head right, holding labarum and globe Mintmark: ANT Reference: RIC IX Antioch 68C, pg. 294
Great write up as usual Jovianus, AE 1 - Antioch mint, 3 rd officina D N IOVIAN VS P F AVG, Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Jovianus right VICTORIA ROMANORVM, Jovianus standing, holding victory on a globe and labarum, ANT gamma at exergue 8.46 gr Ref : RIC # 228, Cohen #22, RC #4085, LRBC #2645 Q
Beautifull coins, informative history.... Here is one of mine...Kunker auction Valentinian I AV Solidus ND Nikodemia Mint
Thanks for the cool info, @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix ... here are some of mine: RI Gratian 367-383 CE AE 17mm Reduced Folles Emp Stdg w Shield and XP banner labarum RI Gratian 367-383 CE AE 17mm Reduced Folles Leading captive XP banner labarum RI Constans 337-350 AE3 19mm Thesalonika mint Reparatio stdg CHI RHO banner RI Delmatius 335-337 CE Quarter Folles CHI RHO banner flanked by 2 soldiers Sear 3131 RI Constantine I Folles 306-337 CE Captives VOTA Banner
Constantine I ("the Great"), A.D. 307-337 Rome Mint, A.D. 312-313 Obverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG. Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI - Legionary eagle between two vexilla; one on left topped with hand, on right topped with wreath. RP in exergue. RIC 349a. 22 mm, 4.2 g.
These pseudo-autonomous issues of Alexandria Troas have a vexillum over Tyche's shoulder as a design element. I have three that are preserved well enough to see it. Time of Valerian I to Gallienus, AD 253-268. Roman provincial Æ 20.1 mm, 4.49 g, 1 h. Troas, Alexandria Troas, AD 253-268. Obv: CO-L TROAD, turreted and draped bust of Tyche, right, with vexillum inscribed AV/CO over shoulder. Rev: COL AVG, Horse grazing right, TRO in exergue. Refs: Bellinger A486; SNG Copenhagen 108-113; SNG von Aulock 1466; SNG Tübingen 2533; BMC 48 var. Time of Valerian I to Gallienus, AD 253-268. Roman provincial Æ 20.6 mm, 4.83 g, 10 h. Troas, Alexandria Troas, AD 253-268. Obv: CO-L TROAD, turreted and draped bust of Tyche, right, with vexillum inscribed AV/CO over shoulder. Rev: COL AVGO TRO, eagle, head left with wings spread, standing facing on head and neck of bull facing right. Refs: Bellinger A491; SNG Copenhagen 115; SNG von Aulock 1467; BMC 57 var. Time of Valerian I to Gallienus, AD 253-268. Roman provincial Æ 23.2 mm, 5.86 g, 6 h. Troas, Alexandria Troas, AD 253-268. Obv: CO ALEX TRO, turreted and draped bust of Tyche, right, with vexillum inscribed CO/AV over shoulder. Rev: COL AVGO TROA, Marsyas standing right on pedestal, holding wineskin. Refs: Bellinger A497; SNG Copenhagen 103; SNG von Aulock 1463; BMC --.
Here's a Vitellius denarius: Vitellius (Augustus) Coin: Silver Denarius A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN - Head of Vitellius, laureate, right; globe at point of neck. CONSENSVS EXERCITVVM - Mars, helmeted, wearing only cloak, advancing left, holding spear in right hand and aquila and vexillum in left. Mint: Lugdunum (69 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 2.75g / 22mm / 6h References: RIC I (second edition) Vitellius 50 Provenances: Savoca Coins Acquisition/Sale: Savoca Coins Internet 27th Blue Auction #1214 $0.00 12/19 Notes: Mar 6, 20 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection Struck January-June AD 69
PHILIP I AE25 OBVERSE: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right REVERSE: ANTIO-C H-ICOL to left and right of vexilium surmounted by eagle, between two legionary eagles, SR in exergue Struck at Pisidia, Antiochia, 244-249 AD 6.91g, 24mm SNG France 1259/1262
I'll check my own coinage later for any vexilla I might have but let me say right now how much I enjoyed reading your post on an item I have not previously paid much attention to.
A most informative write up! Very interesting too. Egyptian vexilla, I think... Egypt Potin Tetradrachm Aurelian Year 4 (272-273 A.D.) Alexandria Mint A K Λ ΔOM AVP[HΛIANOC CEB]?, laureate and cuirassed bust right / eagle standing left, head turned right, between two vexilla; LΔ above. Milne 4396; Geissen 3077. (8.41 grams / 17 mm) Attribution Note: The obverse legend is difficult to make out and I am not sure it matches the description.
I wish I could lay claim to the coin pictured below, but I can't . Never the less, it fits this thread perfectly that's why I'm posting it . This tiny bronze coin sold for 5,500 Swiss francs at the Nomos 19 Auction, despite the obvious cleaning marks. The reverse depicts the personal Vexillum of Constantine the Great, with 3 circular medallions crowned by a Chi-Rho symbol. The vexillum is mounted on a tall spear that is piercing a serpent-dragon (the symbol of Licinius I). Nomos Auction 19, Lot 358. Constantine I, AD 307-337 (struck AD 327), AE follis: 3.20 gm, 18 mm, 12 h. Constantinople Mint, 1st Officina. RIC VII, p. 572, 19.
The coin pictured below is from my collection & depicts Honorius gripping a Vexillum with one hand & holding a Nike trophy with the other, while stomping a captive.
Constantine I.Æ Follis.Struck 319-320 AD. Ticinum mint. CONST-ANTINVS AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust right / VIRTVS EXERCIT, standard inscribed VOT/XX between two captives; (crescent)/ST. RIC VII 127 ,
A few comments about the amazing coins posted on this thread: Thanks for posting these RC. Never seen that type before, and even if I did, I would probably miss the vexillum. @panzerman and @Al Kowsky : fantastic examples you have shown; buying a gold coin is one of my dream. My question is: how did you convinced your wife to authorize a budget for it ? @Tony1982 : your specimen has one of the biggest and detailed vexillum I've seen.Thanks for sharing. And like me, I'm sure many of you really appreciated the efforts of the members who searched in their collections and shared their babies with us. Merci beaucoup!
