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 become a defining force of the Empire. Whoever holds this piece in their hand is not holding a replica or reprint, but genuine ancient circulating currency from the Roman Empire.

The Coin Design: Imperial Portrait and GLORIA EXERCITVS

The obverse shows Constantine 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, with two standards between them, above the inscription GLORIA EXERCITVS, "Glory of the Army". The exergue bears the mint mark of the respective mint. On the pictured specimen, it refers to Arelate – present-day Arles, which was renamed Constantina in honor of the emperor. Such types were minted primarily in the 330s and circulated throughout the empire, from Britain to the Bosphorus.

Technical Data at a Glance

• Face value: Follis (in antiquity presumably referred to as a 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 specimen
• Condition: circulated currency, 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, agreed between Constantine and Licinius, guaranteed religious freedom for Christians throughout the Empire. In 325, the emperor convened the First Council of Nicaea, whose formulations still echo in the Creed today. And in 330, he dedicated his new residence on the Bosphorus: Constantinople, the nucleus of the Eastern Roman Empire, which we now call Byzantium. This coin dates from the very heart of this upheaval.

A piece of metal that makes the transition from pagan antiquity to the Christian West tangible 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 coin 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 once 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 represents the most affordable ancient original with substantial historical significance – gold coins of the imperial era play in an entirely different league.

Equally Appealing to Collectors and Investors

• A genuine historical document rather than a modern reproduction – over 1,600 years old
• Historical icon: the emperor under whom Christianity paved the way to becoming the state religion
• An ideal entry point into ancient numismatics and the History series
• A tangible asset, independent of digital booking systems
• A popular gift for history enthusiasts, godchildren and confirmation candidates

Condition: Patina Tells a Story

These pieces are genuinely circulated currency and bear corresponding traces: dark bronze patina, individual centering, and occasionally weaker areas of the legend. This is precisely what makes them appealing. Since the year of minting, mint, and reverse variant vary, the specimen delivered will differ from the image shown – you will receive a hand-selected original, not a mass-produced item.

Preserving Value Across the Centuries

Gold is humanity's oldest currency and has outlasted every paper currency. The follis of Emperor Constantine vividly demonstrates 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 our silver coins category – history and the present complement one another beautifully within the same collection.