City Commemoratives
The City Commemorative coinage issued under Constantine the Great around AD 330 marked a significant moment in Roman history, celebrating the founding of Constantinople and honoring Rome’s enduring legacy. These coins were struck in large quantities and featured personifications of both cities: Roma, depicted helmeted in a classical style, and Constantinopolis, shown with a helmet and often holding a scepter. The reverse designs commonly included symbolic imagery such as the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus for Rome, or Victory standing on a prow for Constantinople, emphasizing power and divine favor. Unlike typical imperial coinage, these issues did not bear Constantine’s portrait, signaling a broader political message about continuity and unity rather than individual rule. Circulating widely across the empire, they reinforced Constantine’s vision of a dual-centered Roman world, linking the ancient capital with the emerging eastern metropolis.
Billon Half Centenionalis (13mm, 1.05g) Struck A.D. 330 Constantinople
Obv: POP ROMANVS laureate and draped bust left of the Roman People, cornucopiae on shoulder
Rev: CONS over Δ Bridge with towers at each end, waves and pylons below (Milvian Bridge over the Tiber?)
RIC viii 21 Sear 17547
Billon Reduced centenionalis (18mm 2.63) Struck AD 330-333 Heraclea
Obv: VRBS ROMA Helmeted bust of Roma left
Rev: No inscription She wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. two stars above 
in exergue
RIC VII 85 Ex John McConnell
Billon Reduced Centenionalis (13mm 1.61g) Struck AD 330-333 Constantinople
Obv: CONSTANTINOPLIS Helmeted bust left, reversed spear
Rev: No inscription Victory standing left, foot on prow with scepter and leaning on sheild in CONSZ exergue
RIC VII 63
Billon Reduced Centenionalis (18mm 2.14g) Struck AD 330-333 . Heraclea
Obv: VRBS ROMA Helmeted bust of Roma left
Rev: No inscription She wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. two stars above 
in exergue
RIC VII 114
Billon Reduced Centenionalis (18mm 2.29g) Struck AD 330-333 . Heraclea
Obv: VRBS ROMA Helmeted bust of Roma left
Rev: No inscription She wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. two stars above .SMHΔ. in exergue
RIC VII 124
Billon Reduced Centenionalis (17mm, 2.05g) Struck 333-335 A.D. Rome
Obv; CONSTANTINOPLIS Helmeted bust left, reversed spear
Rev: No inscription Victory standing left, foot on prow with scepter and leaning on sheild in 
exergue
RIC VII 355
Billon Reduced Centenionalis (16mm, 2.53g) Struck AD 333-335 Rome
Obv; CONSTANTINOPLIS Helmeted bust left, reversed spear
Rev: No inscription Victory standing left, foot on prow with scepter and leaning on sheild in 
exergue
RIC VII 371
Billon Reduced Centenionalis (17mm 2.14g) Struck AD 330-333 Thessalonica
Obv; CONSTANTINOPLIS Helmeted bust left, reversed spear
Rev: No inscription Victory standing left, foot on prow with scepter and leaning on sheild SMTSΔ in exergue
RIC VII 188
Billon Reduced Centenionalis (17mm 1.8g) Struck AD 330-333 Thessalonica
Obv; CONSTANTINOPLIS Helmeted bust left, reversed spear
Rev: No inscription Victory standing left, foot on prow with scepter and leaning on sheild SMTSε in exergue
RIC VII 188
Billon Reduced Centenionalis (18mm 2.35g) Struck AD 330-333 Thessalonica
Obv; CONSTANTINOPLIS Helmeted bust left, reversed spear
Rev: No inscription Victory standing left, foot on prow with scepter and leaning on sheild SMTSΔ in exergue
RIC VII 188
