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307-337 Roman Empire Constantine the Great Follis

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:50.00 - 100.00 USD
307-337 Roman Empire Constantine the Great Follis
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307-337 Roman Empire Constantine the Great Follis bronze coin, Thessalonika mint, obverse engraved laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, reverse engraved two soldiers standing either side of two standards, each holding a spear, D: 18.2 mm, 2.49 grams. The reverse legend dedicates this coin to "the glory of the Army." Western mint GLORIA EXERCITVS issues are much less common than the Eastern mint issues. Flavius Valerius Constantinus, Constantine the Great, was the son of Helena and the First Tetrarchic ruler Constantius I. Constantine is most famous for his conversion to Christianity after the battle of the Milvian Bridge where he defeated emperor Maxentius. Before the battle, he saw the words "In Hoc Signo Victor Eris" (By this sign you shall conquer) emblazoned on the sun around the Chi Rho, the symbol of Christianity. After placing this Christogram on the shields of his army, he defeated his opponent and thus ruled the empire through divine providence. He also shifted the capital of the empire to Constantinople, establishing the foundation for an Empire that would last another 1000 years. He died in 337 and his sons divided the Roman territories. PROVENANCE: Private collection of Ken Dorney, classical numismatist dealer