Constantine I Coins
Imperator Caesar Flavius Valerius Constantinus Augustus
Constantine the Great was the first Christian emperor, whose conversion and the Edict of Milan in 313 AD transformed the religious landscape of the Roman world. He defeated all rivals to reunify the empire, founded Constantinople as a new eastern capital, and convened the Council of Nicaea to define Christian orthodoxy.
Constantine reshaped the Roman world more profoundly than any emperor since Augustus. His conversion to Christianity, the founding of Constantinople, and the introduction of the solidus were transformative acts whose effects endured for a millennium in the Byzantine Empire and shaped the course of Western civilization.
Key Events
Coinage
Constantine's coinage marks the transition from pagan to Christian Roman symbolism. Early issues feature Sol Invictus, but later types introduce the labarum (Christian standard) and Chi-Rho monogram. He introduced the solidus at 1/72 of a pound of gold, establishing the standard gold coin that would endure for 700 years in Byzantium.
Denominations
Notable Types
- SOLI INVICTO COMITI (early Sol types)
- Labarum types with Chi-Rho
- GLORIA EXERCITVS (soldiers and standards)
- VRBS ROMA and CONSTANTINOPOLIS commemorative types
Common Reverses
Active Mints
Collecting Guide
Constantine I offers the widest mint distribution of any Roman emperor, his coins were struck at 16 mints from London to Alexandria, and the mint-mark system in the reverse exergue allows precise attribution to city and workshop (officina). Building a set by mint is the most popular collecting strategy and can take years to complete. The GLORIA EXERCITVS folles (two soldiers flanking standards) and PROVIDENTIAE AVGG (camp gate) types are by far the most common and provide an accessible starting point. The early Sol types (SOLI INVICTO COMITI) from before the Christian conversion are historically significant, while the later labarum and Chi-Rho types mark the birth of Christian imagery on Roman coinage. The commemorative VRBS ROMA (she-wolf with twins) and CONSTANTINOPOLIS (personification of the new capital) types are attractive and affordable. RIC VI, VII, and VIII cover the main series across the Tetrarchic and Constantinian periods.
Market Overview
Common Constantine I folles (GLORIA EXERCITVS, camp gate types) sell for $5–30, making them among the most affordable ancient coins. Sharp, well-centred examples from desirable mints (London, Trier) command modest premiums at $20–60. The early large-module folles from the Tetrarchic period are more substantial coins and bring $30–100. Sol types average $15–50. Gold solidi start around $2,000–4,000 for common types and are surprisingly attainable for an emperor of this historical significance, the solidus was struck in volume and survives in quantity. Rare mint-mark variants and scarce reverse types can reach several hundred dollars. The sheer abundance and variety of Constantinian coinage makes it one of the most popular entry points for new ancient coin collectors.
Related Resources
Further Reading
- Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume VII,
- Roman Coins and Their Values, Volume IV,