Christian Roman Coin | Bronze Nummis

Bronze nummi bearing a cross on the reverse are emblematic of the increasing integration of Christianity into the fabric of the late Roman state, especially under the reigns of emperors like Theodosius II and his successors. By the fifth century, Christian symbols were becoming more prevalent on coinage, reflecting the empire's official embrace of Christianity following Constantine’s earlier reforms and Theodosius II's issuing of the Edict of Thessalonica, which declared Nicene Christianity as the state religion, effectively making it the official religion of the empire. The cross, a potent symbol of the Christian faith, began to appear regularly on small bronze denominations, including these nummi, which were the lowest-value coins in circulation at the time.

These coins feature a simplified imperial bust on the obverse—sometimes barely more than an abstract outline of the emperor’s profile—and on the reverse, a plain cross, either standing alone or sometimes set on a stepped base or globe. The most basic version is a simple Greek cross, often unadorned and centrally placed, meant to convey the dominance of the Christian faith within the empire. Inscriptions might be minimal or absent altogether, especially on the smallest pieces, though some issues bear legends such as "GLORIA ROMANORVM" or "SALVS REIPVBLICAE" alongside the cross.

Coins with crosses on the reverse became especially common in the Eastern Roman Empire and can often be traced to mints in Constantinople, Antioch, or Alexandria. Their widespread production and circulation suggest they were meant for the general populace and were part of the imperial effort to associate the emperor's authority with divine sanction. These cross types marked a distinct shift from the pagan iconography of earlier centuries, visually reinforcing the unity of church and state. Today, they are commonly found in late Roman coin lots and archaeological excavations and serve as clear, tangible artifacts of the Christianized Roman world.

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Your Roman Coin will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces. The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact.If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! 

Bronze nummi with a cross on the reverse are commonly found across the former territories of the Eastern Roman Empire, particularly in regions like modern-day Turkey, Greece, the Balkans, and the Levant. These areas were densely populated and economically active during the fifth century, and the coins struck in mints such as Constantinople, Antioch, Nicomedia, and Alexandria circulated widely among the urban and rural populations alike. Over time, many of these coins were lost, buried in hoards for safekeeping, or simply discarded. Today, they are frequently uncovered through archaeological digs and metal detecting, especially in countries where Roman-era settlements were most concentrated. The soil conditions in some parts of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean have also helped preserve the coins relatively well, despite their base metal composition.

Most of the nummi that appear on the market today are sourced from large hoards or surface finds in Eastern Europe, particularly from the Balkans and former territories of the Byzantine frontier. Countries like Bulgaria, Serbia, and Turkey are especially prolific sources due to their rich Roman heritage and ongoing discoveries by local detectorists. These coins often enter the global antiquities market through dealers and wholesalers who clean, sort, and distribute them to collectors around the world.