Ancient Coins

Romulus and Remus

Actual Size

Romulus and Remus

Mythical founders of Rome

According to legend, the twin brothers, sons of Mars and Vestal Virgin, were cast adrift on the River Tiber by their scheming great-uncle. They were saved by a she-wolf who suckled the until they were found by shepherds and reared by a royal herdsman and his wife. They survived to slay their great-uncle and found the city of Rome in B.C. 763.

The coin was struck by Constantine the Great and his sons for several reasons. First, it celebrated the founding of the new capital city of the Roman Empire, I.E. Constantinople in A.D. 330. Secondly, this coin also was to honor the upcoming 1100TH Anniversary of the founding of Rome in AD 348.

The obverse of the coin depicts the goddess Roma (the personification of the Roman Empire) with a helmet and attired in armor for battle.

The reverse depicts Romulus and Remus being nursed by the wolf. The two stars above the wolf symbolize the twins who became stars in the heavens, watching over and protecting the city after their death.