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Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D., with Christian Cross
One of the earliest Christian crosses on coinage and one of the oldest examples of a Christian cross of any kind affordable to a collector with modest means. The cross was rarely used in early Christian iconography, perhaps because it symbolized a purposely painful and gruesome method of public execution that most early Christians would have personally witnessed. In 315, Constantine abolished crucifixion as punishment in the Roman Empire. The Ichthys, or fish symbol, was used by early Christians. Constantine adopted the Chi-Rho Christ monogram (Christogram) as his banner (labarum). The use of a cross as the most prevalent symbol of Christianity probably gained momentum only after Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, traveled to the Holy Land, c. 326 - 328, and recovered the True Cross.BB66587. Billon reduced centenionalis, RIC VII Aquileia 126 (R3), Paolucci-Zub 429 (R), LRBC I 658, Cohen VII 105, SRCV V 17682, Hunter V -, VF, well centered, 2nd officina, Aquileia (Italy) mint, weight 3.378g, maximum diameter 17.0mm, die axis 180o, as caesar, 334 - Sep 335 A.D.; obverse FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse GLORIA EXERCITVS (glory of the army), two soldiers standing confronted, two standards in center between them, each holds a spear in outer hand and rests inner hand on grounded shield, cross in center on exergue line, AQS in exergue; rare; SOLD
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