Centenionalis — Constantine the Great — Gloria Exercitus

Obverse: CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantine the Great right with jeweled diadem

Reverse: GLORIA EXERCITVS ("the glory of the army"), two soldiers standing facing each other, holding shields and spears, with two military standards between them, SMANA in exergue

Mint Info: Nicomedia

Mass: 2.77 g

Diameter: 16.2 mm

The reverse type GLORIA EXERCITVS celebrates the strength and loyalty of the Roman army, depicting two soldiers standing beside military standards that represent the organized might of the imperial forces. The military standards served as important symbols of unit identity and loyalty, while the paired soldiers emphasize the collective strength of the army rather than the individual achievements of the emperor. The mintmark SMANA identifies this issue as struck at the Nicomedia mint.

Constantine the Great ruled the Roman Empire from AD 306 to 337 and is best known for founding Constantinople and becoming the first emperor to openly support Christianity after his victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. The small bronze centenionalis and related reduced denominations formed the backbone of everyday Roman coinage during the fourth century following Constantine's monetary reforms. The GLORIA EXERCITVS series was introduced to honor the army's central role in maintaining imperial power and was among the most widely produced bronze coin types of Constantine's reign.

The coin displays a smooth patina.