ROMAN EMPIRE 330-340 AD AE3/4 BI NUMMUS Mint
080-00532
This specific type of nummus is an **"Urbs Roma"** commemorative issue, struck specifically to celebrate the dedication of the new capital city, **Constantinople**, in AD 330. These coins were produced in massive quantities across all imperial mints to broadcast a powerful message: the focus of the Roman world had shifted to the East. Unlike standard imperial issues that featured the Emperor’s face, this coin personifies the city itself, bridging the gap between ancient mythology and the new political reality.
### The Iconography: City and Sea
The obverse features the personification of **Constantinopolis**. She is depicted as a regal, helmeted figure, draped in an imperial cloak and often holding a scepter over her shoulder. This "helmeted bust" was a deliberate nod to the warrior-goddess Minerva, signaling that this new city was protected, sophisticated, and divine.
The reverse is one of the most dynamic designs in late Roman coinage: **Victory standing on the prow of a ship**. This imagery is a direct reference to the naval supremacy required to control the Bosphorus and the wealth of the Mediterranean. Victory is shown with her wings spread, holding a spear and a shield, symbolizing the triumphs that would safeguard the city’s future. The prow of the ship represents the maritime power that fueled the growth of the "Second Rome."
### Preservation and Quality
Given the **Choice Extremely Fine (CH XF)** grade, this coin is a superior archaeological survivor. On a coin of this quality, the individual feathers in Victory’s wings and the intricate crest of the helmet on the obverse should be clearly defined. In the 4th century, these bronze coins often received a thin silver wash to make them appear more valuable; in an XF state, the surfaces remain smooth and the strike centered, allowing the historical narrative to remain as clear today as it was 1,700 years ago. It remains one of the most popular coins for collectors due to its high-quality artistry and its direct link to the founding of one of history’s greatest cities.
### The Iconography: City and Sea
The obverse features the personification of **Constantinopolis**. She is depicted as a regal, helmeted figure, draped in an imperial cloak and often holding a scepter over her shoulder. This "helmeted bust" was a deliberate nod to the warrior-goddess Minerva, signaling that this new city was protected, sophisticated, and divine.
The reverse is one of the most dynamic designs in late Roman coinage: **Victory standing on the prow of a ship**. This imagery is a direct reference to the naval supremacy required to control the Bosphorus and the wealth of the Mediterranean. Victory is shown with her wings spread, holding a spear and a shield, symbolizing the triumphs that would safeguard the city’s future. The prow of the ship represents the maritime power that fueled the growth of the "Second Rome."
### Preservation and Quality
Given the **Choice Extremely Fine (CH XF)** grade, this coin is a superior archaeological survivor. On a coin of this quality, the individual feathers in Victory’s wings and the intricate crest of the helmet on the obverse should be clearly defined. In the 4th century, these bronze coins often received a thin silver wash to make them appear more valuable; in an XF state, the surfaces remain smooth and the strike centered, allowing the historical narrative to remain as clear today as it was 1,700 years ago. It remains one of the most popular coins for collectors due to its high-quality artistry and its direct link to the founding of one of history’s greatest cities.
| Additional Information | |
|---|---|
| COUNTRY | ROMAN EMPIRE |
| DENOMINATION | AE3/4 BI NUMMUS |
| EdgeItemKey | 001-080-00532 |
| GRADE | CH XF |
| Inventory Type | Memo |
| stone info | [] |
| Vendor Style Code | CONSTANTINIAN CHXF |
| YEAR | 330-340 AD |
