Bronze Follis Emperor Constantine I the Great (306-337 AD | Rise of Christianity)

Bronze Follis of Emperor Constantine the Great – an Original from Europe's Turning Point

Some coins are simply beautiful. This one is a witness to history. The bronze follis of Emperor Constantine I the Great (306–337 AD) passed through the hands of Roman soldiers, merchants and craftsmen some 1,700 years ago – in precisely that era when Christianity rose from a persecuted faith to the defining force of the Empire. Whoever holds this piece is not holding a replica or a reprint, but genuine ancient circulating coinage from the Roman Empire.

The Coin Design: Imperial Portrait and GLORIA EXERCITVS

The obverse shows Constantinus I in profile facing right, diademed, draped and cuirassed, surrounded by the legend CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG – "Constantinus Maximus Augustus", Constantine the Great. The reverse is military propaganda in its purest form: two helmeted soldiers with spear and shield stand facing one another, between them two standards, above them the inscription GLORIA EXERCITVS, "Glory of the Army". In the exergue is the mint mark of the respective mint. On the piece depicted, it points to Arelate – present-day Arles, which was renamed Constantina in honour of the emperor. Such types were struck mainly in the 330s and circulated throughout the empire, from Britain to the Bosporus.

Technical Data at a Glance

• Face value: Follis (in antiquity presumably referred to as Nummus)

• Issuing authority: Emperor Constantine I the Great, 306–337 AD

• Country: Roman Empire

• Weight: 4.5 g

• Diameter: 20 mm

• Material, fineness and year of issue: varied – each piece is a unique ancient item

• Condition: circulated coinage, bank-standard quality

• Series: History · Shipped as insured mail

Constantine and the Rise of Christianity

Hardly any ruler has shaped Europe more lastingly. After his victory at the Milvian Bridge in 312, Constantine turned to the Christian god. A year later, the Edict of Milan of 313 between Constantine and Licinius guaranteed religious freedom to Christians throughout the empire. In 325, the emperor convened the First Council of Nicaea, whose formulations still resonate in the Creed today. And in 330 he dedicated his new residence on the Bosporus: Constantinople, the nucleus of the Eastern Roman Empire, which we today call Byzantium. This coin dates from the very heart of this upheaval.

A piece of metal that places the transition from pagan antiquity to the Christian West tangibly in the palm of your hand.

The Follis – Small Change of a World Empire

The follis was introduced around 294 as part of Diocletian's currency reform, explicitly to combat debasement and inflation. It rose to become the empire's most important copper coin, initially weighing around 10 grams with a diameter of 27 to 30 mm, and bore a wafer-thin coating of silver. Under Constantine I, the folles were revalued and reduced in size again around 330. The Latin name, incidentally, means "purse" or "money bag", recalling the sealed bags in which larger sums circulated. For those already familiar with denarii, sestertii and solidi, Constantine's follis is the most affordable genuine ancient original carrying great historical weight – gold coins of the imperial era play in an entirely different league.

Equally Appealing for Collectors and Investors

• A genuine historical document rather than a modern reproduction – over 1,600 years old

• Historical icon: the emperor under whom Christianity was set on the path to becoming the state religion

• An ideal introduction to ancient numismatics and to the History series

• A tangible asset you can hold in your hand, independent of digital booking systems

• A popular gift for history enthusiasts and godchildren or confirmation candidates

Condition: Patina Tells a Story

These pieces were once circulating currency and bear the corresponding traces: dark bronze patina, individual centring, nicks, wear, and in places weaker areas of the legend. This is precisely what gives them their appeal. Since the year of minting, mint and reverse variant vary, the piece delivered will differ from the illustration – you receive an original, not a mass-produced item. We therefore ask for your understanding that the image shown in the shop is an example and may differ individually from the delivered item in terms of appearance and condition.

Preserving Value Across the Centuries

Gold is humanity's oldest currency and has outlived every paper currency. The follis of Emperor Constantine impressively illustrates how empires rise and fall while metal money endures. This very idea still holds true today: tangible assets as inflation hedge and as crisis protection. Combine this historical original as you wish with modern bullion coins from the silver coins category – history and the present blend together beautifully within the same collection.