GRATIAN 378AD Authentic Ancient OLD Roman Coin CHRISTIAN CHI-RHO Captive i103706

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

Item: i103706Authentic Ancient Coin of:Gratian - Roman Emperor : 367-383 A.D.Bronze AE3 17mm (2.6 grams) Thessalonica mint, struck circa 378-383 A.D.Reference: RIC IX 26cD N GRATIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped bust right.GLORIA ROMANORVM / Γ/TES , Emperor walking right, looking left, holding labarum (tipped with Christian Chi-Rho), dragging captive right by the hair.You are bidding on the exact item pictured, provided with a Certificate of Authenticity and Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity.The labarum was a vexillum (military standard) that displayed the "Chi-Rho" symbol ☧, a christogram formed from the first two Greek letters of the word "Christ" (Greek: ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ, or Χριστός) - Chi (χ) and Rho (ρ). It was first used by the Roman emperor Constantine I. Since the vexillum consisted of a flag suspended from the crossbar of a cross, it was ideally suited to symbolize the crucifixion of Christ.Ancient sources draw an unambiguous distinction between the two terms "labarum" and "Chi-Rho", even though later usage sometimes regards the two as synonyms. The name labarum was applied both to the original standard used by Constantine the Great and to the many standards produced in imitation of it in the Late Antique world, and subsequently.The Chi Rho is one of the earliest forms of christogram, and is used by some Christians. It is formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters chi and rho ( ΧΡ ) of the Greek word " ΧΡ ΙΣΤΟΣ" = KR istos = Christ in such a way to produce the monogram. Although not technically a Christian cross, the Chi-Rho invokes the authority of Jesus, as well as symbolising his status as the Christ.The Chi-Rho symbol was also used by pagan Greek scribes to mark, in the margin, a particularly valuable or relevant passage; the combined letters Chi and Rho standing for chrēston, meaning "good." Some coins of Ptolemy III Euergetes (r. 246-222 BC) were marked with a Chi-Rho.The Chi-Rho symbol was used by the Roman emperor Constantine I (r. 306-337) as part of a military standard (vexillum), Constantine's standard was known as the Labarum. Early symbols similar to the Chi Rho were the Staurogram ( ) and the IX monogram ( ).Gratian - Roman Emperor : 367-383 A.D.367-375 A.D. Junior Augustus with Valentinian I375-385 A.D. Senior Augustus with Valentinian IIRuling in the East: Valens (364-378 A.D.), Theodosius I (379-395 A.D.) and Arcadius (379-395 A.D.)| Son of Valentinian I and Severa | Husband of Constantia (daughter of Constantius II ) | Nephew of Valens | Half-brother of Valentinian II and Galla (wife of Theodosius I ) |Gratian (Latin: Flavius Gratianus Augustus ; 18 April/23 May 359 -25 August 383) was Roman emperor from 367 to 383. The eldest son of Valentinian I, during his youth Gratian accompanied his father on several campaigns along the Rhine and Danube frontiers. Upon the death of Valentinian in 375, Gratian's brother Valentinian II was declared emperor by his father's soldiers. In 378, Gratian's generals won a decisive victory over the Lentienses, a branch of the Alamanni, at the Battle of Argentovaria. Gratian subsequently led a campaign across the Rhine, the last emperor to do so, and attacked the Lentienses, forcing the tribe to surrender. That same year, his uncle Valens was killed in the Battle of Adrianople against the Goths - making Gratian essentially ruler of the entire Roman Empire. He favoured Christianity over traditional Roman religion, refusing the divine attributes of the Emperors and removing the Altar of Victory from the Roman Senate.LifeGratian was the son of Emperor Valentinian I by Marina Severa, and was born at Sirmium (now Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia) in Pannonia. He was named after his grandfather Gratian the Elder. Gratian was first married to Flavia Maxima Constantia, daughter of Constantius II. His second wife was Laeta. Both marriages remained childless. His stepmother was Empress Justina and his paternal half siblings were Emperor Valentinian II, Galla and Justa.On 24 August 367 he re... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.