AD 306–337 Ancient Roman Constantine The Great “Jesus Risen Son” Bronze Coin

The “Great” Emperor Who Changed the Western World

It’s no stretch to say that Constantine the Great changed the course of history. Not only was he a Roman emperor who ruled at the height of the empire’s power, but he was also the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. His Edict of Milan in 313 declared religious tolerance for Christians and in 325 he called the First Council of Nicaea—which produced the Nicene Creed. Not surprisingly, for these and other acts he was venerated a saint by the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Church.

The First Coin Of Christianity

Ruling from A.D. 306 to 337, Constantine began his reign as a worshiper of Sol Invictus, “The Unconquerable Sun.” But after a vision of the Cross led to him to victory in battle and his subsequent rise to being crowned the sole Emperor of the Roman Empire, Constantine literally “saw the light” and shifted his beliefs. Believing that Sol Invictus and Christ were one and the same, Constantine legalized Christianity, allowing it to flourish. He merged the worship of Sol Invictus and Christ, creating religious practices still observed by modern-day Christians like observing Christmas on December 25th and celebrating Easter to the first Sunday after the first full moon of the vernal equinox. He also authorized the striking of this bronze coin—the first coin of a Christian Empire, and thus the most important coin of Christian history.

The bust of Constantine appears on the obverse while Jesus Christ as Sol Invictus appears on the reverse with rays radiating out from His head. This crown of rays can be seen on many other works of art including America’s own Statue of Liberty!

A Genuine Artifact Of Constant The Great And The Early Christians

For nearly seventeen centuries, these stunning coins have survived earthquakes, floods, and the rise and fall of empires. Although there are many coins of the Constantine dynasty, most that survive are in very poor condition and appear flat and worn out—but not these coins! While they don’t come with a grade ascribed to them, these coins were struck in bronze, a precious metal that is resistant to wear. Plus, each will come in a protective acrylic holder and beautifully housed in a presentation box and accompanied by an informative a story card and a Certificate of Authenticity from the American Numismatic Association (ANA).

Statues, columns, and other artifacts from the reign of Constantine the Great still exist and are vibrant pieces of history from nearly 1,700 years ago. As one of the most famous and revered figures in Roman and Cristian history, these artifacts are highly coveted by people around the world. Unfortunately, it’s awfully hard to display these pieces in one’s home. For example, the Colossus of Constantine that once resided near the Forum in Rome, was originally 40 feet high! Even the remaining pieces of that gigantic statue are more than 6 feet long. But here’s a beautiful artifact from the reign of the famous emperor that you CAN add to your collection. Click one of these coins to your cart today. It’s sure to make a “Great” addition to your collection!