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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;The Meat man, post: 21344443, member: 135271&quot;]Lately, I&#039;ve been taking an interest in the life and times of Constantine I - an individual, and period of history, that has had a tremendous, perhaps unparalleled, impact on subsequent world history up to the present day.</p><p><br /></p><p>Constantine himself is certainly one of the most polarizing figures in ancient history - there are virtually no truly objective historical sources about his life. They either portray Constantine as the model Christian Emperor: pious, conscientious, completely devoted to and in touch with God, or else they consider him an unstable and ruthless tyrant who was the cause of all ills. The actual truth, as might be suspected, lies somewhere in the middle. Reading about it all has been an enjoyable and educating experience - so far I have finished reading Michael Grant&#039;s book <i>Constantine the Great: The Man and His Times</i> and have since started <i>Constantine the Emperor</i> by David Potter.</p><p><br /></p><p>Today being the 1,751st birthday of Constantine I, I thought this might be a good time to show off a couple new coins I recently acquired. The first I will show is actually the most recent - acquired via Roma Numismatics E-Sale 106, lot 1202:</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://content.invisioncic.com/k321387/monthly_2023_02/constantine_i_captives.jpg.bfe6c56b95fa98caddd2ac3f60ea7687.jpg" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://content.invisioncic.com/k321387/monthly_2023_02/constantine_i_captives.jpg.bfe6c56b95fa98caddd2ac3f60ea7687.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://content.invisioncic.com/k321387/monthly_2023_02/constantine_i_captives.jpg.bfe6c56b95fa98caddd2ac3f60ea7687.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>This coin shows a fine portrait of the Emperor, helmeted and cuirassed as for battle. (Even Constantine&#039;s greatest critics had to admit his superlative generalship.) The reverse is also militarily themed, showing bound and seated captives under a trophy inscribed with the VOTA for twenty years; the inscription VIRTVS EXERCIT (The Courage of the Soldiers) around the edge provides a neat summary of the coin&#039;s design. The coin itself is nicely toned and sharply struck with fine detail. There is a lot to like about the coin, and I am happy to have won it!</p><p><br /></p><p>NOW, the other Constantine coin I recently purchased has quickly become one of my favorites in my entire collection. Some of you may know that I like to look for good portraits in Roman coins - something that becomes a little difficult when you get into the later Empire. There can be so much variety in style between mints and most of them lacking.</p><p><br /></p><p>The mint at Rome seemed to be the most artistically inclined during this time period, and whoever engraved this die evidently extended himself, producing (IMO) one of the finest numismatic portraits of Constantine the Great I&#039;ve ever seen:</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://content.invisioncic.com/k321387/monthly_2023_02/constantine_rome_votxxx.jpg.de071182fe0f829c664eb05cdfb4fcb1.jpg" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://content.invisioncic.com/k321387/monthly_2023_02/constantine_rome_votxxx.jpg.de071182fe0f829c664eb05cdfb4fcb1.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://content.invisioncic.com/k321387/monthly_2023_02/constantine_rome_votxxx.jpg.de071182fe0f829c664eb05cdfb4fcb1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>What strikes me most about this portrait is its sense of majestic gravity and regal splendor. I see in it the true Constantine - Dominus Noster, Maximus Augustus - sole ruler over the largest (and still) most powerful Empire on Earth. The proportions are exquisitely executed; the detail is superb. Constantine&#039;s expression is serious and grave but not without its humanity - he almost looks like he is about to smile. Crowned with a beautifully rendered rosette diadem, cuirassed, and draped, he presents an impressive, kingly figure, surrounded by his name and titles.</p><p><br /></p><p>The reverse is a common type but also is very attractive - well-struck (although with a few areas of flatness.) I do really like the balance and symmetry of these VOT reverse types.</p><p><br /></p><p>The coin also has a beautiful golden tone which highlights the design.</p><p><br /></p><p>I would love to see your favorite Constantine I coins! Feel free to post your own coins, comments, or anything else relevant![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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