RIC VIII Constantinople 21
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC VIII Constantinople 21. Denomination: AE4. Authority: Constantine I. Mint: Constantinople. The obverse shows bust of the Genius of the People of Rome, laureate, draped, left, holding cornucopiae on left shoulder, with the legend POP ROMANVS. The reverse shows bridge over a river.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 8
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
After triumphing in the civil wars of the Tetrarchy, he became sole ruler of the Roman Empire by 324. Among his significant administrative actions, he founded Constantinople and established it as the capital of the empire, where it remained the imperial centre for over a millennium.
This piece belongs to the series of Constantinian bronzes produced in the mid-fourth century, categorised under the AE4 designation used by modern numismatists for the smallest bronze modules of the period. Struck at the mint of Constantinople, the coin features on its obverse the draped and laureate bust of the Genius of the People of Rome holding a cornucopiae, accompanied by the inscription "POP ROMANVS", while the reverse depicts a bridge over a river.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Billon; Bronze
- Denomination
- AE4
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Constantinople
- Authority
- Constantine I
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of the Genius of the People of Rome, laureate, draped, left, holding cornucopiae on left shoulder
- Reverse
- Bridge over a river
- Obverse legend
- POP ROMANVS
- Reverse legend
- Research required
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC VIII Constantinople 21
- Denomination and metal
- AE4, Billon; Bronze
- Obverse legend to match
- POP ROMANVS
- Reverse legend to match
- Research required
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- RIC / OCREric.8.cnp.21
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
- Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.