Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 89 5 Nov 2021
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Foundation of Constantinople Commemorative Æ 14mm. Struck under Constantine I. Constantinople, AD 330. POP ROMANVS, laureate and draped bust of Genius to left, cornucopiae at shoulder / Eight-pointed star and CONSIA within wreath with jewel at apex. RIC VIII 22; LRBC 1067. 1.11g, 14mm, 11h.
Near Extremely Fine. Scarce.
From the collection of Z.P., Austria, collector's ticket included.
The obverse legend of this coin is short for Populus Romanus (people of Rome). The status of Populus Romanus was granted to the people of Constantinople when Constantine inaugurated his new capital on 11 May 330. This was significant for it gave the people of Constantinople the same legal status as Rome, meaning they could enjoy the benefits of the Ius Italicum. Notably this meant people born in the city of Constantinople automatically gained Roman citizenship and this entitled them exemption from land and poll tax, protection under Roman law and the ability to buy and sell property.
Sutherland and Carson have suggested this issue should be considered a donative issue struck to celebrate the occasion (see RIC VIII, p. 442). This reverse is one of two types which formed the special issue, the other depicting the Milvian bridge over the river Tiber (cf. RIC VIII 21). It has been argued by Shawn Caza that the two types may represent the co-equal legal status of the cities of Rome and Constantinople - the Milvian bridge being a well-established symbol of Rome by 330 and the wreathed star representing Constantinople albeit for reasons which are uncertain (see 'A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types' (Spink, 2021), pp. 112-4).
Near Extremely Fine. Scarce.
From the collection of Z.P., Austria, collector's ticket included.
The obverse legend of this coin is short for Populus Romanus (people of Rome). The status of Populus Romanus was granted to the people of Constantinople when Constantine inaugurated his new capital on 11 May 330. This was significant for it gave the people of Constantinople the same legal status as Rome, meaning they could enjoy the benefits of the Ius Italicum. Notably this meant people born in the city of Constantinople automatically gained Roman citizenship and this entitled them exemption from land and poll tax, protection under Roman law and the ability to buy and sell property.
Sutherland and Carson have suggested this issue should be considered a donative issue struck to celebrate the occasion (see RIC VIII, p. 442). This reverse is one of two types which formed the special issue, the other depicting the Milvian bridge over the river Tiber (cf. RIC VIII 21). It has been argued by Shawn Caza that the two types may represent the co-equal legal status of the cities of Rome and Constantinople - the Milvian bridge being a well-established symbol of Rome by 330 and the wreathed star representing Constantinople albeit for reasons which are uncertain (see 'A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types' (Spink, 2021), pp. 112-4).