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Alpha Auction
— ALPHA AUCTION 11 —
Until August 06, 2023, 16:00 (CEST), you can register as a bidder and submit your bids via the following link.
On August 06 at 16:00 (CEST) the lots will be callod upon one after another and you have the chance to place live bids.
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by email: numisgruppe@emporium-hamburg.com
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Subject to change of date.
Discover the stories behind the lots now:
Remarkable relic of Constantine the Great: 1 ½ Scripula from the mint of Ostia
Emperor Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, was one of the most influential figures in Roman history. He ruled as Roman Emperor from 306 to 337 AD and played a significant role in establishing Christianity as the state religion.
The minting period of this coin coincides with a pivotal moment in history - the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in the year 312. The battle was a turning point for Constantine, securing his sole rule over the Western Roman Empire. It is said that before the battle, he had a visionary experience in which the Christian symbol of the cross appeared to him, accompanied by the message "In hoc signo vinces" (In this sign, you will conquer). He then had his soldiers paint the cross on their shields and emerged victorious. This marked the beginning of Christianity as the state religion of the Roman Empire.
The mint in Ostia was active only during a short period from 308 to 313 AD, allowing the dating of the 1 ½ Scripula coin's minting period with precision. Ostia, a significant city at the mouth of the Tiber River and Rome's first colony in the 7th century BC, served as an important trade and military port for the Roman Empire in antiquity.
A reflection of conflicts, religious issues, and political turmoil in the 17th century
This magnificent coin was minted during an era marred by conflicts and wars once again. The infamous Thirty Years' War, which began in 1618 with the Defenestration of Prague, led to severe turmoil in the Holy Roman Empire between 1618 and 1648. The conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism reached its dreadful peak.
The obverse of this valuable coin features the crowned Hersfeld coat of arms: a mitre and a crosier adorn the emblem, while a mantling represents the splendor of faith. The reverse is struck with God's oath hand descending from the clouds, watching over the fate of people with the eye of providence. An poignant message highlighting the significance of faith and protection during a time of religious upheaval.
The mysterious inscription "Fide sed cui vide" on the coin, translated as "Trust, but be cautious to whom," gives us a warning that was also significant in the history of Hersfeld Abbey. The abbey was set on fire in 1761. Today, visitors can explore the Bad Hersfeld Abbey ruins, one of the largest Romanesque church ruins in the world.