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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;ValiantKnight, post: 2222142, member: 44210&quot;]Acquired these three recently. Even though the coin has a crack and overall is kinda rough, I am glad to have added a Decentius with chi-rho reverse (and a nice clear one to boot) to my collection, where it will complement my Magnentius chi-rho coin very well. I also came across the only other ruler besides the aforementioned ones that had a chi-rho reverse issued: Constantius II (struck in his name by the rebel Poemenius). Time was not kind to it over the centuries but its rarity and low price was what got to me. Lastly is a rather common type: the cross-within-wreath reverse of Theodosius II. Obverse could be better but the reverse is pretty well-preserved and clear (aside from the mintmark, but I can sort of still see what it is).</p><p><br /></p><p>I am not overly religious but I really enjoy Christian-themed ancient/medieval coins since I feel they relate to my Christian heritage. Incredible to think (at least to me) that a small, persecuted sect would beat the odds and become the main religion of the Roman Empire. </p><p><br /></p><p>Decentius was a Roman military commander in the mid-4th century AD, who, in conjunction with another military officer named Magnentius (who was possibly Decentius&#039; brother) rose up and killed the Roman emperor Constans. Magnentius proclaimed himself as Augustus and Decentius became his Caesar, then they took over the Roman provinces of Gaul, Hispania, and Britannia, and waged war against Constans&#039; brother Constantius II. Both committed suicide after Magnentius&#039; loss at the Battle of Mons Seleucus in Gaul.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa429/LurkingNinja/decentius_zpsxsdjqnqa.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>The Constantius II with chi-rho reverse is a curious one, since Constantius II would probably not have wanted to be associated with a coin of his enemy Magnentius. Also the religious aspect of it adds to this conflicting issue. The Alpha and Omega on each side of the chi-rho were symbolic of Jesus Christ&#039;s divine nature, which Constantius&#039; Arian Christian religion downplayed. The several interpretations I&#039;ve read all seem to be in agreement that at some point in the rebellion of Magnentius and Decentius the city of Trier (which was under their control) staged a pro-Constantius revolt under the leadership of an officer named Poemenius, and that coins were struck in Constantius&#039; name (a lot more in-depth info on this really obscure event here: <a href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=57516.0" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=57516.0" rel="nofollow">http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=57516.0</a> ).</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa429/LurkingNinja/constantius_zpsujysr0md.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>Theodosius II was the son of Eastern emperor Arcadius and his wife Aelia Eudoxia. Proclaimed as co-Augustus in January 402 AD at the ripe-old age of one, he was the youngest Roman emperor in history. His long reign over the Eastern Roman Empire saw the construction of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople, war against the Huns, the Persians, and the usurper Johannes in the west, and the compilation of Roman law known as the Codex Theodosianus. He died in 450 AD, from falling off his horse as he rode along. Theodosius II was succeeded by Marcian.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa429/LurkingNinja/theodosiusII_zpsweu3kapl.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;ll post descriptions+attributions later tonight.</p><p><br /></p><p>Please feel free to post any Christian-themed ancient or medieval coin.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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