309
A new gold coin is first struck at Treveris (modern day city of Trier, federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) by Constantine I (324–337). The new coin, called solidus (nomisma) is struck 72 to the Roman pound and it was originally 24 carat gold. The solidus undergoes debasement especially from the tenth century onwards, before the gold standard is abandoned in the mid 14th century.
Gold solidus struck by Emperor Constantine I in Nicomedia in 335 AD
Obv. Constantine gazing upwards in an attitude of prayer. The iconography makes reference to the vision of the True Cross which Constantine had before the battle of Milvian Bridge.
Rev. Victory seated on a cuirass, and inscribing VOT XXX
Diam. 21mm; wt 4.5g
The Barber Institute Coin Collection, R3095; P.D. Whitting Collection
