Nomos 11

Constantine I, 307/310-337. Solidus (Gold, 19mm, 4.36 g 6), Trier, 313-315. CONSTANTI-NVS P F AVG Laureate head of Constantine I to right. Rev. VICTOR OM-NIVM GENTIVM / PTR Emperor standing facing, in military dress and turned slightly to left, holding standard in his right hand and resting his left on shield by his side; to right, bound captive seated to right; to left, two kneeling figures raising their arms, beseeching the emperor. Cohen 574. RIC 29 (this coin). A rare piece. Tiny bang on Constantine’s head, otherwise, extremely fine.

From a Swiss collection, ex UBS 52, 11 September 2001, 237 and from the Gotha collection, Hess, Luzern, [240], 9 May 1951, 282.

The reverse is a typical example of Roman numismatic wishful thinking: the legend describes the emperor as being “victor all peoples”! This coin was once in the great collection in Gotha: while there is still a magnificent collection of coins in Gotha, a considerable part of the collection was taken west by the ducal family just prior to the end of World War II. Many of the more valuable pieces were then sold during the 1950s, including a large portion of Roman gold that appeared in the 1951 Hess sale. The coins themselves were in the collection at least prior to World War I, with many surely being bought in the 18th or 19th centuries (or even earlier).