Lot 3733

Description

Magnentius, (A.D.350-353), AE follis, Treveri (Trier) mint, (7.16 gm), 1st Officina, 7th emission, issued in 353, obv. D N [MAGNEN] TIVS P F AVG, bare headed bust draped and cuirassed to right, rev. around SALVS DD NN AV[G ET C]AES, AMB in exergue, chi-rho symbol, flanked by A and W. (S.4017, RIC 318, Bastien 86). Uneven edge, otherwise good very fine.

Chi and Rho are the first two letters (XP) of "Christ" in Greek XPI**STOS*, (Christos). Sometimes it is called the Monogram of Christ or Chrismon or Labarum. It was used very early by persecuted Christians in the catacombs. The Chi-Rho is often shown with the Greek letters Alpha (A) and Omega (Í), the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Jesus refers to himself: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:13).