Christogram
the Christian monogram, consisting of the Greek letters Chi and Rho (XP = Chr{ist}).
Cippus ...
Constantine dreamed he saw a Christogram in the sky and heard the words IN HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS, meaning in Latin "In this sign you will be the victor." He ordered the sign of Christ on his legions standards and shields.
Victory advancing left with wreath and palm, sometimes with christogram in right field
410-423, 425-?c.430 [RIC, p.172, different dates for different emperors.]
Valentinian III, Rome
Primarily at Rome.
All images on one page.
The only reverse type with Christogram in the field is Victory dragging captive. The finer style of this specimen and the flan fabric suggests the Third Group before the change to the thick and rougher flan types. cf.
The Chi-Rho monogram, or Christogram, combined X and P, the first two letters in the name of Christ. Only once was there an issue of coins with a prominent use of the Christian symbol.
A word of unknown origin first used to describe a banner or vexillum ornamented with the Christogram, which was the sign under which Constantine the Great chose to fight when he defeated Maxentius in CE 312. It first appears on a coin of CE 327.
/CONCORDIA MILITVM, Emperor stands facing holding 2 labara with Christograms, A-B to either side, Thessalonika mint, SR4041var. Centered, clear portrait and rev., slightly rough black patina, RARE, about Very Fine....SOLD Photo ...
Après la mort de Constantin, l'utilisation du chrisme se répand dans le monnayage et l'étendard doit alors être interprété comme le labarum orné du chrisme ou christogramme qui est formé du khi et du rhô, ...
R4194* 2528 Aelia Flaccilla: AE 4 (13 mm)
$195.00
Obv. AEL FLACCILLA AVG Diad. and dr. bust r.
Rev. SALVS REIPVBLICAE Victory seated r., inscribing christogram on shield
1.35 g
Sear 4194v; RIC 61 (Constantinople) superb EF ...
The commonest reverse type on gold was the Victory (winged female figure) and the legends were the same as used on all Roman coinage. Monograms appear, and the cross and the Christogram are used, mainly on bronze coins.
Muted Christian imagery, such as standards that featured Christograms (the chi-rho monogram for Jesus Christ's name in Greek) were introduced, but with a few rare exceptions, there were no explicitly Christian themes.
 See also: Coin, Legend, Bust, Mint, Wreath
  
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