Description
"Manus Dei" - the "Hand of God"
Ancient Roman bronze coin with a desert patina. The hand of God reaches down toward the Emperor Constantine, driving a quadriga (four horse chariot), welcoming him to heaven.
One of a kind with Certificate of Authenticity.
Chain is available separately. See Chains
Size and Materials
Size: 15mm.
Set in a hand fabricated 18kt recycled gold and sterling silver mount.
Story
Dated: 347-348 AD
"Hand of God", "Manus Dei", commemorative coins struck after Constantine I the Great's death (337 AD), the first depiction of a Christian deity on a coin. Constantine driving a quadriga (four horse chariot); as Constantine reaches up, the Hand of God reaches down to bring him into heaven. The obverse, front, of the coin is an image of the veiled Constantine.
In a historical decision in 312 AD, Constantine decides that his army shall wear a Christian symbol on their shields. He wins the battle of the Milvian Bridge and attributes his success to his alliance with the Christian god.
Desert patina is formed in a very dry, desert climate. The tan areas are lightly cemented on light tan dust and desert sand. It has a lovely esthetic appeal. It takes skillful cleaning of the coin to remove the cemented dust while leaving just enough to create dramatic highlights that emphasize the beauty of the artwork.