CONSTANTINE I, THE GREAT (307-337 A.D.)

Obv.:	Bust of Constantine, legend: CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG ("Constantine the Great Emperor")
Rev.:	Two Roman soldiers standing next to two standards, legend: GLORIA EXERCITVS ("Glory to the Army")

SMALL BRONZE (COMMEMORATING DEDICATION OF CONSTANTINOPLE)

Obv.:	Helmeted bust of the personification of Constantinople, legend: CONSTANTINOPOLIS
Rev.:	Victory standing with foot on prow of ship, holding scepter and shield

POSTHUMOUS SMALL BRONZE

Obv.:	Draped bust of Constantine, legend: DIVO CONSTANTINO ("to the Divine Constantine")
Rev.:	Constantine driving chariot of four horses (quadriga), following God's hand in sky

HISTORICAL NOTES: A great statesman whose accomplishments had long-lasting repercussions. His personal conversion coincided with the transformation of Christianity to a state religion, starting with the Edict of Milan proclaiming religious tolerance in 313 A.D. The dedication of Constantinople as the imperial capital in 330 paved the way for its ascendance in the following centuries. The legend of Constantine, who was born in Naissus (near present-day Nis in Serbia), was partially preserved in Serb tradition. For example, while in no way based in fact, the legendary Nemanjic royal lineage - described in some medieval Serbian chronicles as beginning with Constantine's father Constantius I - attests to the depth of his popular memory.

NUMISMATIC NOTES: Along with many other reforms, Constantine implemented a sweeping monetary restructuring that was to reflect economic and inflationary changes. The main precious metal coin became the solidus, weighing ca. 4.5 g (1/72nd lb.) of gold - the flagship Byzantine denomination for many centuries hence (and from which the much later solde of Dubrovnik were to derive their name). One solidus equalled a fixed 24 silver silique, which were originally measured based on the 1:18 gold/silver ratio, but later fluctuated with bullion value, thus resisting inflation. Late in Constantine's reign and during that of his sons, pagan themes (e.g. Zeus/Jupiter) started getting replaced first by neutral, and finally by Christian ones.