1,600-Year-Old Roman Bronze Coin Commemorating Constantinople - NGC Certified

NGC-certified Roman bronze commemorating the refounding of Byzantium as Constantinople under Constantine I. Struck between AD 330 and 340, this issue marks one of the most consequential moments in late Roman history: the establishment of a new eastern capital that would endure for more than a millennium.

The obverse features the helmeted personification of Constantinopolis, holding a spear, with the inscription “CONSTANTINOPOLIS.” Rather than depicting the emperor himself, the coin honors the city as a living symbol of imperial destiny. The reverse typically shows winged Victory standing on the prow of a ship, referencing naval strength and the strategic maritime position of the new capital at the crossroads of Europe and Asia (modern Istanbul).

These commemorative bronzes were part of a broader propaganda program celebrating Constantine’s new imperial center. The imagery reflects a transitional age — preserving classical Roman artistic forms while emerging within a Christianizing empire.

Encapsulated in an official NGC slab for authentication and preservation, this coin represents a historic pivot: the shift of power eastward and the birth of what would become the Byzantine Empire.

Note: Coins shown are representative examples of the grade and style. You will receive a certified coin consistent with the stated NGC grade and type.