Byzantine Bronze Constantinopolis Nummus Coin Pendant
£ 150.00
A Roman bronze commemorative coin issued by the Emperor Constantine the Great, surrounded by a silver pendant casing. The obverse of the coin depicts the personification of the city Constantinople, as a helmeted female. She is shown holding a spear across her left shoulder, her head turned to the left. Along with her crested helmet she has a characteristic laurel wreath on her head and wears the imperial mantle. A legend surrounds her, reading CONSTAN- TINOPOLIS, confirming her identity. The reverse depicts another female figure; Victory. The goddess is shown facing left, also holding a spear. She places one foot on the rudder of a ship, whilst leaning against a round shield. These emblems are characteristic of the deity’s representation. Underneath the deity are the letters TR.S, which denotes the mint at which this coin was produced, Trier. The coin is encased in a silver shell, attached to a round suspension loop.
Date: AD 331-333 Condition: Good Condition. Suitable for modern wear.
Constantine issued the creation of small bronze coins to commemorate the old capital Rome and the new capital Constantinople. These coins were thought to symbolise the equality of the two cities and the new importance of Constantinople to the empire. The reason Constantine moved the capital of the empire was because of the growing success within the eastern part of the Roman empire and it was becoming more important than the Italian location. Constantine moved the capital to be closer to the centre of the empire. It is thought that Constantine split the empire as way to ensure that the political entity remained stable throughout its expansion.
