Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 135 21 Nov 2022
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The Roman Empire. Constantine I, 307 – 337.
Medallion of 6 solidi, Nicomedia circa 335-336, AV 26.77 g. CONSTANTI – NVS MAX AVG Laureate and rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. CONSTANTINI AVG Two Victories, winged, draped, standing facing each other, holding a shield inscribed VOT/XXX. In exergue, SMNM. C –, cf. 81 (Treviri). Gnecchi –, cf. 3 (Treviri). Alföldi –, 32 (Treviri). RIC –, cf. 571 (Treviri). Depeyrot –, cf. p. 152 (Treviri)
Apparently unique and unrecorded. A spectacular and impressive medallion with an
interesting portrait and a fascinating reverse composition. Minor edge marks,
otherwise about extremely fine / extremely fine
Ex Gorny & Mosch sale 215, 2013, 1095. From the collection of a Man in Love with Art.
In the age of Constantine the Great, large gold multiples such as this apparently unique piece were regularly produced for distribution to the army at the New Year festival or other major celebratory occasions as a means of ensuring the continued loyalty of the soldiery. There was nothing that did more for retaining loyalty than frequent infusions of gold. This 6-solidus piece was struck at the mint of Nicomedia to celebrate Constantine's tricennalia-the 30-year anniversary of his reign in AD 335. The tricennalia was a lavish event, as one might expect after a long reign filled with much conflict, both with his rivals for imperial power and with the barbarian peoples who threatened the integrity of the empire's borders. Constantine had survived it all and come out on top, creating an opulent new capital at Constantinople and establishing the supremacy of a new religion, Christianity, at the same time. There was much to celebrate and Constantine used the occasion to further ensure the stability of the empire and the continuation of his dynasty by elevating his nephews Delmatius and Hannibalianus as Caesar in Achaea, Macedonia and Thrace and King of Pontus, respectively. This was in addition to his own sons whom Constantine had previously made Caesars with authority in other parts of the empire. Unfortunately, only two years after the celebration of the tricennalia, Constantine fell ill and died in AD 337, and much of what he had accomplished over those 30 years began to unravel. A bloody purge orchestrated by his sons, Constantius II, Constantine II and Constans immediately resulted in the murders of Delmatius, Hannibalianus and other members of the family deemed to be potential threats. Disputes among the brothers led to war and the death of Constantine II in 340. By 350, the unpopular Constans was murdered by his own courtiers. Constantine the Great had won many victories and achieved signal successes in his 30 years as emperor, but his successors were not equal to the task of maintaining his momentum and holding them together.
Medallion of 6 solidi, Nicomedia circa 335-336, AV 26.77 g. CONSTANTI – NVS MAX AVG Laureate and rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. CONSTANTINI AVG Two Victories, winged, draped, standing facing each other, holding a shield inscribed VOT/XXX. In exergue, SMNM. C –, cf. 81 (Treviri). Gnecchi –, cf. 3 (Treviri). Alföldi –, 32 (Treviri). RIC –, cf. 571 (Treviri). Depeyrot –, cf. p. 152 (Treviri)
Apparently unique and unrecorded. A spectacular and impressive medallion with an
interesting portrait and a fascinating reverse composition. Minor edge marks,
otherwise about extremely fine / extremely fine
Ex Gorny & Mosch sale 215, 2013, 1095. From the collection of a Man in Love with Art.
In the age of Constantine the Great, large gold multiples such as this apparently unique piece were regularly produced for distribution to the army at the New Year festival or other major celebratory occasions as a means of ensuring the continued loyalty of the soldiery. There was nothing that did more for retaining loyalty than frequent infusions of gold. This 6-solidus piece was struck at the mint of Nicomedia to celebrate Constantine's tricennalia-the 30-year anniversary of his reign in AD 335. The tricennalia was a lavish event, as one might expect after a long reign filled with much conflict, both with his rivals for imperial power and with the barbarian peoples who threatened the integrity of the empire's borders. Constantine had survived it all and come out on top, creating an opulent new capital at Constantinople and establishing the supremacy of a new religion, Christianity, at the same time. There was much to celebrate and Constantine used the occasion to further ensure the stability of the empire and the continuation of his dynasty by elevating his nephews Delmatius and Hannibalianus as Caesar in Achaea, Macedonia and Thrace and King of Pontus, respectively. This was in addition to his own sons whom Constantine had previously made Caesars with authority in other parts of the empire. Unfortunately, only two years after the celebration of the tricennalia, Constantine fell ill and died in AD 337, and much of what he had accomplished over those 30 years began to unravel. A bloody purge orchestrated by his sons, Constantius II, Constantine II and Constans immediately resulted in the murders of Delmatius, Hannibalianus and other members of the family deemed to be potential threats. Disputes among the brothers led to war and the death of Constantine II in 340. By 350, the unpopular Constans was murdered by his own courtiers. Constantine the Great had won many victories and achieved signal successes in his 30 years as emperor, but his successors were not equal to the task of maintaining his momentum and holding them together.