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 Replies: 8 / Views: 2,976 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2233 Posts |
Thought I'd share one of my favorite coin buys. It's Constantine I with chi-rho on helmet, Victories reverse, Siscia, not in RIC but should be RIC VII 81 variation I think. I luckily saw it on ebay on my birthday in 2012. It was buy now $64. The seller did not mention the chi-rho in the description, maybe didn't notice. It's rather rough but extremely rare. Most of these type have dots, two or three intersecting lines and other artistic designs on the helmet. I've only seen a couple others like this, one chi-rho on helmet sold from the Failmezger collection which had a horse on the shield. The most fantastic Constantine I chi-rho on helmet is the silver medallion in a museum in Europe. Eusebius mentions Constantine put Christ's symbol Greek letters chi-rho on his helmet. Lactantius mentions soldiers put the chi-rho on their shields. I have a few other Constantine I coins with chi-rho on military standard, a couple with the chi-rho between standards and some of the common chi-rho coins of Constantine's sons and later rulers. Symbols and monograms are common on ancient coins. Some of their meanings are not understood, perhaps just control marks. The chi-rho symbol is also on a Greek Ptolemy III bronze of Alexandria, obviously not referring to Christ.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
That is an interesting coin and a Chi/Rho placement new to me.
I can see why you like it so much.
Paul Bulgerin
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Looks like it could benefit from further cleaning too, if you are willing to risk it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6514 Posts |
Nice write up and great coin. Thanks for sharing.
Check out my counterstamped Lincoln Cent collection: http://goccf.com/t/303507 |
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Valued Member
Canada
66 Posts |
Very nice ... here is mine - no chi-rho.. but maybe a cross? Hard to say if this features the christian symbol or just a decoration.  Struck A.D. 319 19mm IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG -- high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield on left arm VICT  LAETAE PRINC PERP -- two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar inscribed with I In ex. ASIS RIC VII Siscia 82 r5 Translation of the reverse legend: VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP = "Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince" and VOT PR engraved on the shield is VOTA POPVLI ROMANI "vows of the Roman people" I also found this very interesting - quoting Victor Clark: "RIC VII describes the reverse of these coins as two victories holding a shield. It is actually a wreath though. This reverse is just like the type issued a few years later by Magnentius, which RIC VIII correctly describes as two victories holding a wreath. My descriptions call it a shield, following RIC VII, but it is a wreath, which is evidenced by the wreath ties easily visible on the top of most examples. If you look closely on a clear example, you will see that only one victory is holding the wreath. The other victory is actually inscribing the wreath. You can see the stylus in the hand of victory on some examples. The reverse description should be something like this: two Victories standing, facing one another, one inscribing wreath with VOT PR, while the other Victory holds the wreath above an altar." Edited by Claudius
03/27/2019 2:30 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2233 Posts |
Thanks to all who commented. Claudius, that's a nice coin. Some have wondered if the crossed lines on the helmet refer to a Christian cross, but I've not aware of any late Roman writers providing evidence to support this. IMO they are stars or decorations. Hey Paul B., I bought two chi-rho coins from you about eight years ago, your ebay store. Mark Edited by livingwater
03/27/2019 8:25 pm
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Valued Member
Canada
66 Posts |
Yes I lean towards the decoration theory on the helmet.
I have zero interest in christian symbols - while I love the obverse on my coin
I am more fascinated with the reverse depiction and the great explanation from Victor Clark.. it's amazing.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2233 Posts |
Victor Clark is very knowledgeable about late Roman bronze coins. He wrote his master's thesis on the coins of Constantine I. His web page lateromanbronzecoinforum.com is a great resource and he's a helpful honest seller.
Edited by livingwater
03/28/2019 09:31 am
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Replies: 8 / Views: 2,976 |
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Posted 03/26/2019 10:06 pm
