Object Details

From:NHerts

Name/TitleCoin of Constantine I

About this objectThis coin was found on the surface of the Priory Field footpath adjacent to the Priory Bypass. It is thought to be a coin of the Roman Emperor Constantine I (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great.

This coin is difficult to identify fully as many of its markings are now illegible. Curator Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews said this of the coin:

"I think that your coin may be an issue of Constantine I, supposedly dated AD 321. The reverse reads VOT X (‘Vows for ten (years reign)’), but I can’t make out anything more; emperors made vows to the gods for long reigns (usually multiples of ten, but sometimes multiples of five). As Constantine became emperor in 306, I’d expect this coin to be issued somewhere between 306 and 315, as it’s expressing the hope that his reign would last that long: he’d already been emperor for 15 years by then, so I’d expect an issue of 321 to read VOT XX. Perhaps the source I got the date from is wrong!".

Constantius I, father of Constantine the Great had formed part of the Tetrachy, the system of Roman government which had two senior Emperors (Augusti) and two junior designated successor Emperors ( Caesares). Each ruled over the Western or Eastern Empire. The Tetrachy had been in place since its foundation by the Empreror Diocletian in 293. Costantine the Great spent much of his reign fighting with his Co-Emperors and rivals. He defeated the Emperor Maxentius at the battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 to gain full control of the Western Roman Empire and then his rival the Emperor Licinius at the Battle of Chrysopolis to gain full control over all of the Empire in 324. The early power base of Constantine the Great was Britain, Gaul and Spain. Constantine was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity.

The Constantinian dynasty kept up a system of Co rule. After the death of Constantine the Great his sons Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans split the Empire into three power bases.

Date Made306-321 AD

PeriodRoman (AD 43-411)

Medium and MaterialsMetal

Measurements16mm

Named CollectionNorth Hertfordshire Museum

Object TypeCoin

Object number2021.27

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