Roman Empire Constantine the Great 306-337AD Victory on Prow Fine-Very Fine Bronze Coin

One of the most famous types of the Ancient Roman Empire, we are delighted to present the ‘Victory on Prow’ bronze coin – struck 1,700 years ago during the reign of the iconic emperor, Constantine the Great!

Issued toward the end of Constantine’s reign, the Victory on Prow type commemorated the founding of Constantinople. The obverse depicts the personification of the city, Constantinopolis, with Victory standing on the prow of a ship on the reverse. This maritime motif was used upon this coin for a very specific reason. It was a reference to the crucial victory of Constantine’s son, Crispus, over his father’s last remaining rival, Licinius, in the Battle of the Hellespont in 324AD.

After the disintegration of the Roman system of rule known as the Tetrarchy, or Rule of Four, Constantine controlled the western half of the Roman Empire, with Licinius holding sway in the east. The uneasy truce was never going to last, and after several clashes, civil war broke out in 324AD. After Constantine defeated Licinius at Adrianople, both knew that control of the Dardanelles was crucial in their battle for supremacy. Inevitably, the navies of the rival emperors clashed in the Battle of the Hellespont.

Although Licinius held a numerical advantage, this actually proved his undoing. Constantine’s fleet, led by Crispus, was able to outmanoeuvre Licinius’ cumbersome armada, led by his admiral, Abantus, and inflict two decisive defeats on consecutive days. Licinius withdrew his forces from Byzantium and met Constantine’s army at Chrysopolis, only to be defeated again. Licinius surrendered, leaving Constantine as the sole master of the Roman world.

Constantine re-founded Byzantium as Rome’s new capital, to be named Constantinople, and issued the Victory on Prow coin type to celebrate. A key element of every Ancient collection, and astonishing value-for-money given the wealth of history it represents, we have the Victory on Prow type available in highly collectable Fine to Very Fine condition. Click add to cart now!