Constantine I Solidus, Lion reverse
RIC VII Arelate 4 · 313 AD · Arelate
Obverse
CONSTANT-INVS P F AVG or CONSTANTI-NVS P F AVG
Head of Constantine I, laureate, right
Reverse
VIRTVS AVGVSTI
Lion, standing left, head front; above, club
About This Type
This RIC VII Arelate 4 is a solidus of Constantine I (313 AD), struck at the Arelate mint. The reverse depicts Lion, standing left, head front; above, club.
About the Solidus
The solidus was the gold coin of the late Roman and Byzantine empires, introduced by Constantine I around 309 AD at 4.5 grams. It maintained its weight standard for over seven centuries, making it one of the most stable currencies in history.
About the Arelate Mint
Arelate (modern Arles, France) replaced the Lugdunum mint in the early fourth century and became one of the principal Western mints. Its mint mark typically includes AR or CON (Constantina).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is RIC VII Arelate 4?
- RIC VII Arelate 4 is a Gold Solidus of Constantine I (313 AD) struck at the Arelate mint cataloged under RIC no. RIC VII Arelate 4.
- How do you identify RIC VII Arelate 4?
- The obverse depicts Head of Constantine I, laureate, right with the inscription CONSTANT-INVS P F AVG or CONSTANTI-NVS P F AVG. The reverse depicts Lion, standing left, head front; above, club with the inscription VIRTVS AVGVSTI. Portrait type: laureate.
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