Lot 2853

Description

Magnentius, (AD 350-353), AE centenionalis, Treveri Mint, issued in 350, (5.40 g), obv. I M CAE MAGN ENTIVS AVG, bare headed bust, draped and cuirassed to right, rev. around FELICITAS REIPVBLICE, TRP crescent in exergue, Magnentius standing to left holding Victory and labarum with Chi-Rho symbol, A in right field, (S.18791, RIC 264). Dark tone, good very fine, rare.

The most widely used Christogram is the four-letter abbreviation ICXC - a traditional abbreviation of the Greek words for "Jesus Christ", one of the oldest Christograms used is the Chi-Rho, placed on the Labarum. Chi-rho monogram consists of the superimposed Greek letters Chi and Rho which are the first two letters of Christ in Greek. Technically, the word labarum is Latin for a standard with a little flag hanging on it and used by the army. A Christogram was added to the flag as an image of the Greek letters Chi Rho, in the late Roman period. So Christogram and labarum are not originally synonyms.