Constantine I, 307/310-337. Solidus (Gold, 19 mm, 4.70 g, 1 h), Thessalonica, 317. CONSTAN-TINVS P F AVG Laureate head of Constantine I to right. Rev. CLARITAS REI PVBLICAE / •SM•TS• Sol, radiate and nude but for chlamys draped around his shoulders, standing front, head to left, raising his right hand in salute and holding globe in his left; at feet to left, barbarian kneeling to right, raising his hands in adoration. Depeyrot 8/1. RIC 8. Rare. A beautiful piece with a bold portrait. A few very light marks on Constantine's cheek, otherwise, extremely fine.


Far from breaking away from pagan imagery after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312, Constantine presented himself as a traditionalist ruler in the tradition of the Tetrarchs in the late 310s. The present coin shows a barbarian in adoration of Sol and praises the 'glory of the res publica'. It is very similar to an issue from Siscia, where the reverse legend is replaced by a more traditional SOLI INVICO COMITI. Both types derive originally from Ticinum, from where Siscia and Thessalonica received their iconographic program after Constantine I defeated Licinius I and captured the Balkan mints.