City Commemorative Billon Half Centenionalis RIC 21 Constantinople

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
ex. Classical Coins L5 Auction #4 1/23/26

David Sear believes these were issued at the Dedication of Constantinople in 330 A.D.as a donative piece. RIC initially had them dated as A.D, 341-346, but hoard evidence indicates an earlier issue. That's one reason why Sear believes them to be dedication issues from A.D. 330

The Front (Obverse)

• What you see: A youthful, draped portrait looking left. There's a cornucopia (a horn of plenty filled with food) resting on the shoulder.
• The words: POP ROMANVS (which translates to "The Roman People").
• The meaning: Instead of bragging about himself, Emperor Constantine the Great put the personification of the Roman people on the coin. The cornucopia symbolizes absolute peace, wealth, and abundance for everyone under his rule. It’s the ultimate ancient political crowd-pleaser!

The Back (Reverse)

• What you see: A large bridge with tall defense towers on both ends, with waves flowing beneath the arches.
• The words: CONS over the Greek letter Δ (Delta). CONS is short for the Constantinople mint, and Δ means it was made in the 4th workshop of that mint.
• The meaning: Expert numismatist strongly believe this bridge depicts the famous Milvian Bridge in Rome. This is where Constantine won his most legendary battle in A.D. 312, taking full control of the Western Roman Empire.

Why is this coin so cool?

Imagine throwing a massive grand opening festival for your shiny new capital city (Constantinople), but you want to make sure your old capital (Rome) doesn't feel left out or insulted.

Constantine likely handed these coins out to the public as donative pieces (free money/gifts) during the city's dedication festival. By honoring the "Roman People" on the front and showcasing his historic victory at Rome's Milvian Bridge on the back, the coin perfectly bridges the glory of the old empire with the birth of the new one!