Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 14 12-13 Dec 2020
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Constantine I, 307/310-337. Follis (Bronze, 19 mm, 3.07 g, 7 h), Ticinum, 316. IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust of Constantine I to right. Rev. SOLI INVI-C-TO COMITI / + / ✱ / TT Sol standing front, head to left, nude but for chlamys, raising his right hand in salute and holding globe in his left; in field to left, cross; in lower field to right, star. RIC 45. Minor areas of weakness, otherwise, about extremely fine.
Whether the cross on the reverse of this issue is an early sign of Constantine's affiliation with Christianity is a debated subject. It is worth noting, however, that crosses were used as symbols for Christ and Christianity since the late 2nd century already, i.e. by Minucius Felix in his dialogue 'Octavius' and by Clement of Alexandria (circa 150-215), who called the cross the 'sign of the Lord'.
Whether the cross on the reverse of this issue is an early sign of Constantine's affiliation with Christianity is a debated subject. It is worth noting, however, that crosses were used as symbols for Christ and Christianity since the late 2nd century already, i.e. by Minucius Felix in his dialogue 'Octavius' and by Clement of Alexandria (circa 150-215), who called the cross the 'sign of the Lord'.