Constantine, 306-337, AE3, Commemorative

Constantine, AE3, minted in Nicomedia, 306-337. Weight: 2.34g; typical diameter for this type: 18mm. Obverse: Inscription "VRBS ROMA" featuring the personification of Rome, helmeted and left facing. Reverse: Iconographic depiction of the she-wolf Luperca, nurturing twins Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. Nicomedia mint, sharp detail with minor wear evident on high points, consistent strike clarity. Referenced in RIC VII Nicomedia 195.

This AE3 coin dates to the reign of Constantine I, a pivotal figure in Roman history. Constantine, also known as Constantine the Great, was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and played a crucial role in the proclamation of the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which accepted Christianity and granted freedom of worship throughout the empire. The coin commemorates the city of Rome and its mythological origins, reflecting the emperor's efforts to unite the empire under a shared cultural heritage while promoting the new faith.