Medallion. Constantine I the Great

It is considered that silver medallions were the successors to the cistophori –light tetradrachmas minted in Asia Minor that circulated in those provinces in Roman times. They differed from denarii only in size and weight. The inconsistency of weight and size observed in the silver medallions can only be explained by their not being connected to the monetary system. This rare medallion of Constantine the Great (only two are known in museum collections worldwide) is remarkable for the fact that on it the Emperor is depicted not in profile but almost full-face, while for the first time the ruler’s helmet carries a Christian symbol – the Chi-Rho monogram made from the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.