Nomos 7

Constantine I. As Caesar, AD 306-309. Multiple of 2 Aurei (Gold, 10.63 g 12), Rome, 307. CONSTANTINVS NOB CAESAR Radiate head of Constantine I to right. Rev. PRINCIPI IVVENTVT / P R Constantine, laureate and in military attire, standing left, raising right hand in salute and holding a long scepter in his left; to left, legionary standard. Bastien, Donativa, p. 71, c. Carson p. 69, 98 (same dies). Cohen 405 var. (aureus). RIC 142. Extremely rare. A coin of great importance, the second example known. Various marks consistent with having been found in the sea, some minor bangs and flan faults, otherwise, about extremely fine.

From a Swiss collection, ex Sotheby’s, London, 10 October 1995, 332 and Numismatic Fine Arts XXVI, 14 August 1991, 310.

This was struck in Rome by Maximian and his son Maxentius to honor Constantine, probably just before his marriage to Fausta, the daughter of Maximian and the sister of Maxentiius. While Constantine had been proclaimed emperor after the death of his father Constantius I in 306, he had been forced by Galerius, the senior emperor, to accept demotion to the Caesarship. At the time of his marriage he reclaimed the title of Augustus, which he never again gave up. Thus, this medallic coin must have been struck early in 307.