RIC VII Lugdunum 63
Title
RIC VII Lugdunum 63
Date
319-320 CE
Description
Bust of Constantine I, helmeted, cuirassed, right; Two Victories, winged, draped, facing each other, holding a shield inscribed VOT/PR supported by an altar
Subject
Coin
Publisher
Bethel University Digital Library
Contributor
Haley Johnson
Coverage
POINT(536498.0519120165 5741927.7541518975)
Type
Coin
Format
image/jpeg
Language
Roman
Identifier
RomancoinJohnson0101.jpg; RomancoinJohnson0102.jpg
Mint
Lugdunum (Lyons)
Denomination
AE3
AE2
Deity
Victory
Portrait
Constantine I
Region
Gallia
Material
Bronze. This coin was struck with a silvered surface, to make it appear to have a higher intrinsic value, and some of the silvering remains on the coin.
Obverse Legend
CONSTANTINVS P AVG
Obverse Type
Bust of Constantine I, helmeted, cuirassed, right
Reverse Legend
VICTORIAE LAET PRINC PERP
Reverse Type
Two Victories, winged, draped, facing each other, holding a shield inscribed VOT/PR supported by an altar
Obverse Analysis
The obverse has a bust of Constantine I with the AVG that established him as the emperor of all of Rome. The letter “P” was commonly used on coins for emperors in the 4th century CE and was likely used to show the piety and the happiness that Constantine was able to bring to his people as an emperor. Constantine is depicted with a helmet and is cuirassed. The helmet was an important way to historically indicate and share to the public that Constantine was successful in winning the battle at the Milvian bridge. Yet, with the helmet, Constantine is depicted as being draped with a garment that was commonly used to indicate power. The letters “AVG” continue this power, as it stood for the emperor at the time. This coin basically pushed the idea of his legitimacy, that he fairly won the seat as emperor.
Reverse Analysis
On the reverse, the Latin translation reads “Joyous victory to the eternal Prince.” On this coin, as well as with the coins that have Licinius I on it, is where the first supposed symbols of Christ are mentioned. The image depicts two “victories” on the left and right of a shield being placed onto an altar. The shield has the letters “VOT/PR” which means Vota Populi Romani, meaning “vows of the people of Rome/Roman People.” This is a vow or a promise made to a deity often, and in this case, it is wise to assume it is to the Christian God. It is also commonly used as a way to depict the promises that were kept, possibly saying that God had kept his promise in allowing Constantine to win the battle against Maxentius at the Milvian bridge.
Mintmark
-/-//(captive left)(captive right)
