Constantine I

Flavius Valerius Constantinus

Dynasty: Family of Constantine

Constantine was the son of the Emperor Constantius I. When Constantius died in AD 306 in Eboracum (York), the soldiers declared Constantine Emperor, although this was against the Tetrarchic system laid down by Diocletian. For the time being, however, he was tolerated and the reigning Senior Augustus, Galerius, gave him the title of Caesar. Constantine married Fausta the daughter of the former Emperor Maximianus. When Galerius died, Constantine invaded Italy, the territory of his brother-in-law, Maxentius. He defeated him at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in AD 312, and it was at this battle that God apparently gave Constantine the sign of victory. Constantine took up the struggle of the Christian cause, and repealed many of Diocletian and Galerius' edicts against the new religion. Soon only Licinius was left out of the former Tetrarchy, and Constantine eventually defeated him to reign absolutely. Constantine moved the capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium, which was renamed Constantinopolis. As Constantine lay dying, he was baptised and formally converted to the Christian faith. He left the empire divided between his three sons and several of his nephews

Obverse Legends on coins depicting Constantine I

For explanations of many of the abbreviations used in Roman imperial obverse legends, click here.

• COMIS CONSTANTINI AVG
• CONSTANTINOPOLIS
• CONSTANTINVS AVG
• CONSTANTINVS FIL AVGG
• CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG
• CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG COS IIII
• CONSTANTINVS MAX PF AVG COS IIII
• CONSTANTINVS NOB C
• CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES
• CONSTANTINVS NOB CAESAR
• CONSTANTINVS P AVG
• CONSTANTINVS P AVG COS IIII
• CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
• CONSTANTINVS PF IN AVG
• CONSTANTINVS VM AVG
• DD NN CONSTANTINVS ET LICINIVS AVGG
• DIVO CONSTANTINO AVG
• DIVO CONSTANTINO P
• DIVVS CONSTANTINVS AVG PATER AVGG
• DN CONSTANTINVS AVG
• DN CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG
• DN CONSTANTINVS MAXIMVS AVG
• DN CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
• DV CONSTANTINVS PT AVGG
• FL VAL CONSTANTINVS AVG
• FL VAL CONSTANTINVS FIL AVG
• FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NC
• FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB C
• FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES
• FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB CAESAR
• FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOBIL C
• FL VAL CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
• FL VALER CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
• FL VALERIVS CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
• IMP C CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
• IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINO PF INV AVG
• IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
• IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVSPF INV AVG
• IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
• IMP CONSTANTINVS IN AVG
• IMP CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG
• IMP CONSTANTINVS P AVG
• IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
• IMP CONSTANTINVS PF INV AVG
• IMP CONSTANTINVS PF INVICT AVG
• IMP CONSTANTINVS PIVS F AVG
• IMP CONSTANTINVS PIVS FELIX AVG
• INVICTVS CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG
• POP ROMANVS
• VRBS ROMA

Coins of Constantine I currently available

	Constantine I Bronze follis issued AD 310-312 Obv: CONSTANTINVS PF AVG, Bust of Constantine I, laureate, cuirassed, right Rev: ADVENTVS AVG, (PLN in ex.), Emperor draped, cuirassed, riding left, raising right hand and holding up spear with left hand; horse treading seated captive to left Nice Very Fine   |   AUD $220.00
	Constantine I Bronze follis issued AD 310 Obv: IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG, Laureate, draped, cuirassed, right Rev: SOLI INVICTO COMITI, (PLN in ex.), Sol, chlamys falling from left shoulder, standing left, raising right hand and holding up globe with left hand, T F in field Good Very Fine   |   AUD $90.00
	Constantine I Bronze AE4 issued AD 337-340 Obv: DV CONSTANTINVS PT AVGG, Veiled, draped bust facing right Rev: TRS (in ex.), Veiled emperor in quadriga galloping upwards, manus dei (hand of God) above Good Very Fine   |   AUD $70.00