Roman Follis Coin 

 

Inv. No.: c167
Provenance: London
Date: A.D. 314.
Weight: 4.62g
 
Obv.: Constantine I, laureate, cuirassed.
IMP.CONSTANTINVS P.F.AVG.

Rev.: Sol standing, chlamys across left shoulder, right hand raised, globe in left hand.
SOLI INVICTO COMITI
T F
PLN

The reverse type would have appealed to both Christians and non-Christians alike. The sun was worshipped by many ancient peoples, including Egyptians (they identified Osiris with the sun), Incas, Parthians (their kings were its “brothers”), Greeks (especially Rhodians; cf. on coin 4) and Romans.

Christ also, by a syncretic process, was frequently associated with the sun. For example, a mosaic ceiling in the necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, depicts Christ in the form of Helios, with golden rays emanating from his head, driving across the sky in a chariot.

Comparanda:
CRB 816.