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Above all, Constantine I (c. 272 – 337 AD) was persistent in proving to the Roman world he was legitimately their Augustus. Over the years from 306 to 312 AD, he shared leadership of the Western Roman Empire in one form or another, starting off as Tetrarchal Caesar to Augustus Licinius. By 312 AD, Constantine eliminated - in one fashion or another - his competition for the western Throne (most notably Maxentius), and became undisputed western Augustus. During this second phase of his reign, Constantine sparred diplomatically and militarily with Licinius, who took over the role of eastern Augustus. Their conflict reached a climax in 324 AD, with not only political, but also theological, ideals at stake: Constantine’s armies bore on their standards the labarum, a symbol of Christianity, whereas Licinius’ troops embodied broader religious tolerance, including the traditional, ancient Pagan ways. Although outnumbered, Constantine prevailed, and Licinius surrendered on the promise his life would be spared. The arrangement was short-lived as Constantine eventually ordered the execution of both Licinius and his son Licinius II. Owing his ruthless drive for power and tenacity in leaving no loose ends, Constantine was now sole, undisputed Augustus over the entire Roman Empire from west to east, a unity not realized since before the days of the Tetrarchy.
During his long reign, Constantine implemented many administrative and monetary reforms. The latter included introduction of the gold solidus to provide economic stability following the runaway inflation of the previous century. Fixed at a weight of 1/72 pound, it became the new standard for the Empire. Also produced were silver siliqua, standardized at 24 to the solidus. Other coins also continued to be struck, including bronze folli such as this one, produced at the Siscia mint around 329 AD when Constantine reigned as sole Augustus of the entire Roman Empire. On the obverse is the diademed head of the Emperor CONSTANTINVS AVG. On the verso is the epithet PROVIDENTIAE AVGG. Providentia was the ancient Roman divine personification of the ability to foresee and make provision. Instead of a depicting a female figure for the motif (as on earlier Roman coins), in this period - when Christianity was becoming the state religion - a campgate was used. The curious use of AVGG (as opposed to AVG) in this instance does not denote two different Emperors; instead it probably advertises that Constantine himself served as two Augusti, leader of both western and eastern domains.
Of all the changes implemented by Constantine, one of the most profound was relocation of the Empire’s political capital (the imperial capital had already been relocated to Milan decades earlier). Rome had become increasingly vulnerable, as evidenced by the defeat of Licinius. Byzantine, at the crossroads of commerce and trade 1500 miles to the east, was chosen as new capital of the Empire. The new capital was named Constantinople after the new Augustus. In comparison to Pagan Rome, Constantinople was abounding in Christian themes: Constantine even built a new Church of the Holy Apostles directly on the site of a former temple to Aphrodite.
Exactly when Constantine himself adopted Christianity is subject of debate. From early on, he employed the religion to achieve his military ends. He also supported the Church financially, granted privileges to clergy, promoted Christians to high office, and returned property confiscated during the Diocletian’s persecutions. It is important to note that by all accounts Constantine did not necessarily eschew other religions. After all, among his many titles he also served as Pontifex Maximus, a title that roman Emperors bore as heads of the pagan priesthood. He specifically instructed that everyone should celebrate the venerable Day of the Sun (referring to cult established by Aurelian). Constantine’s coinage continued to employ sun symbolism (see the star above the campgate on the reverse of this coin, for example). Constantine even wore the Apollonian sun-rayed Diadem during the dedication ceremony for his new capital.
In his final years, Constantine planned a campaign against Persia, calling on bishops to accompany him, and commissioning a tent in the shape of a church. Constantine even wanted to be baptized in the Jordan River along the way. However, Constantine fell ill before he could achieve this vision; on his deathbed in 337 AD, he called on bishops to come baptize him. He was later declared a saint (along with his Christian mother, Helen) and would be called “The Great”. The elevation to sainthood provides an interesting topic for debate, considering Constantine's ruthless methods and the thoroughness with which he dispatched his enemies, including the execution of many family members. Religiosity aside, the posthumous honorific is deserved given Constantine’s military victories and successful re-unification of the Empire over his three-decade reign, the longest tenure since Augustus’.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Constantine I, AD 307-337, AE3 (Billon Nummus) (3.60 g), Struck in Siscia in 328-329 AD, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Diademed head right, CONSTANTINVS AVG, Reverse: Campgate with two turrets, star above, PROVIDENTIAE AVGG, gamma SIS double crescent in exergue, Reference: RIC VII 214.