Bronze AE2 of Constantine I, Cyzicus - Mysia
Title
Bronze AE2 of Constantine I, Cyzicus - Mysia
Subject
Coinage--Rome
Description
Obv. bust of Constantine I with diadem and draped r.; around CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB [C]; vague border of dots
Rev. two soldiers standing with helmet and armor, holding spear in outside hand and shield in inside hand, standard between; around GLORIA EXERCITVS; below SMK[Γ? E?]
Weight: 1.8g
Diameter: 15.2mm
Depicted on many late Roman coins, the labarum (λάβαρον or λάβουρον in Byzantine Greek) is a military standard with the pictogram ☧ on it. Labarum can also mean any religious banner, usually those carried in processions. This pictogram is made from the Greek letters Χ (chi) and Ρ (ro), the first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek (Χριστός). It was first used by Constantine I after a vision in which he was commanded to put the heavenly sign on his soldiers’ shields. This pictogram was not used before Constantine and first appears on a coin from around 317 CE.
Rev. two soldiers standing with helmet and armor, holding spear in outside hand and shield in inside hand, standard between; around GLORIA EXERCITVS; below SMK[Γ? E?]
Weight: 1.8g
Diameter: 15.2mm
Depicted on many late Roman coins, the labarum (λάβαρον or λάβουρον in Byzantine Greek) is a military standard with the pictogram ☧ on it. Labarum can also mean any religious banner, usually those carried in processions. This pictogram is made from the Greek letters Χ (chi) and Ρ (ro), the first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek (Χριστός). It was first used by Constantine I after a vision in which he was commanded to put the heavenly sign on his soldiers’ shields. This pictogram was not used before Constantine and first appears on a coin from around 317 CE.
Date
331-334 CE
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