$24 · CONSTANTINE THE GREAT 307 - 337 AD

A BEAUTIFUL BRONZE OF CONSTANTINE THE GREAT FROM 307 - 337 AD . THIS IS A COMMEMORATIVE COIN STRUCK RIGHT AFTER HIS DEATH *** PLEASE NOTE THE SMALL SIZE *** THE SIZE IS 12.9 MM AND 1.73 GRAMS OBVERSE – DV CONSTANTINVS PT AVGG, veiled bust right REVERSE – VN MR (Venerabilis Memoria - Revered Memory), Constantine, veiled, standing right, raising hand CONSTANTINE THE GREAT GREAT TURNING POINT IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD - A mysterious decision by Constantine in October 312 can be seen now as one of the great turning points of history. He is camped just north of Rome, about to do battle with his rival for control of the western empire. He decides that his men shall wear on their shields a Christian symbol - the monogram known as the Chi-Rho, formed from the first two Greek letters of the word Christ. Constantine wins the battle of the Milvian Bridge. His rival dies fleeing back over the Tiber when a bridge of boats collapses. In Constantine's mind he has won this crucial engagement in alliance with the god of the Christians. The results are dramatic. Formally acknowledged by the senate as the Augustus of the west, Constantine immediately takes steps to favor the persecuted Christians. He restores confiscated church property and offers public funds to churches in need.