Constantine I, 307/310-337. Solidus (Gold, 20 mm, 4.35 g, 12 h), Thessalonica, late 324. Diademed head of Constantine I to right, with eyes raised to heaven. Rev. CONSTA-NTINVS AVG / SMTSΓ Victory seated left on throne, holding Victory in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left; at her side, shield. Alföldi -, cf. 44-5 (differing officina). Depeyrot 10/1. RIC 131. A splendid piece, sharply struck, perfectly centered and with a very attractive anepigraphic obverse. A few tiny die breaks, otherwise, good extremely fine.


The striking of this beautiful solidus occurred right after Constantine's second (and final) victory against Licinius I in the Battle of Chrysopolis on 18 September 325, which made him the sole ruler of the empire. This was the first time Constantine appeared with a Hellenistic-style diadem rather than a laurel wreath, a dramatic change in portraiture that is further emphasized by the striking absence of an obverse legend and the fact that the head and eyes of the emperor are raised upwards, towards the divine.