Constantine I, The Great - Sol

Constantine I, Augustus
Struck by Constantine I
Lugdunum, 309-310
OB:- IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG, laureate bust right
Rx:- SOLI INVICTO COMITI, Sol standing left holding globe; F T in fields; in ex, PLC
RIC VI Lug 308; Fail 208
23mm; 3.9g; Follis
Constantine's early coinage featured Mars as his patron deity, but by 310 Sol was becoming increasingly more prominent. Constantine's increasing devotion to the sun-god was an important stage in his eventual embrace of the "great god" represented by Christianity. Sol was in fact the last pagan deity to appear on a Roman coin, save for the Jupiter coinage struck by Licinius before his defeat by Constantine, prefiguring the first Christian coins struck by Constantine's sons. This particular example has a rich multi-hued patina, with deep green fields and coppery highlights, with a great portrait in the distinctive Lugdunum style, struck on a broad flan.
The following NGS article summarizes Constantine's Christian connection: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/timeline_10.html