Few rulers in history have shaped the world as enduringly as Constantine I, known as "the Great." He was a military commander, a power politician, and a visionary – and the first Roman Emperor to promote Christianity. His decisions not only changed the Roman Empire but also the entire history of the Western world. And his coins – small bronze discs that once passed through millions of hands – remain tangible witnesses to this turning point in history.
Rise to Power
Constantine was born around 270–280 AD in Naissus (today Niš, Serbia), as the son of the later Emperor Constantius I. He spent his youth at Diocletian's court, where he experienced the complex system of the Tetrarchy – the rule of four emperors simultaneously – at close quarters.
After his father's death in 306 AD, Constantine was proclaimed Augustus by his troops in Eboracum (today York, England) – the beginning of a decades-long power struggle for sole rule over the Roman Empire. The decisive moment came on October 28, 312 AD: In the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine defeated his rival Maxentius outside the gates of Rome. According to legend, before the battle, he saw a cross in the sky with the words "In hoc signo vinces" – "In this sign you shall conquer."
The Edict of Milan and the Turn to Christianity
In 313 AD, Constantine, together with his co-emperor Licinius, issued the Edict of Milan – one of the most significant documents in world history. It granted freedom of worship to all religions in the Roman Empire and ended the persecutions of Christians. Constantine himself heavily promoted the church: He had basilicas built, exempted the clergy from taxes, and convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD – the first great church council in history.
Whether Constantine himself was a convinced Christian or primarily used Christianity as a political instrument is still debated among historians today. He was only baptized on his deathbed – in 326 AD, he had his eldest son Crispus executed.
Founding of Constantinople
In 330 AD, Constantine inaugurated a new capital: Constantinople, built on the foundations of the Greek city of Byzantium on the Bosphorus. The location was strategically brilliant – at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, easy to defend, and ideal for trade. Constantinople was to remain the center of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire for over a thousand years – until the Ottoman conquest in 1453.
Constantine on Coins – Propaganda in Bronze
Coins were the most important mass medium in the Roman Empire. Every new minting was a political message that passed through millions of hands. Constantine's coins impressively show this transformation:
- Early mintings still show traditional Roman deities – Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun god) and Jupiter (IOVI CONSERVATORI – "Jupiter, the Preserver")
- Later mintings feature Christian symbols such as the Chi-Rho symbol (☧) on the helmet or shield
- The legend VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP ("To the joyful victories of the eternal prince") celebrates his military successes
The Follis – a large bronze coin – was the standard everyday coin in Constantine's time. Minted in dozens of mints from London to Alexandria, these coins are today the most common surviving testimonies of his reign.
Constantine's Legacy
Constantine died on May 22, 337 AD in Nicomedia. He left behind an empire that he had united under his sole rule – and a church that he had transformed into a state power. His influence extends to this day: The Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches venerate him as a saint, Constantinople (today Istanbul) still popularly bears his name, and Christianity as a state religion shaped Europe for centuries.
A small bronze coin from his time is therefore far more than a collector's item – it is a window into one of the greatest turning points in human history.
Constantine's Coins in Our Collection
At Nautilus Natural History, we offer original Roman bronze coins (Follis) from the time of Constantine I – authentic historical artifacts from the 4th century AD, each with a certificate of authenticity and in an elegant display.
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