Contorniate

As contorniates Roman medallions in the late imperial period are (4th and 5th century AD ) denotes that were minted in about Sesterzengröße. The term derives from Italian contorno, which translates as " edge play" means.

Are easy to identify the contorniates at a conspicuously sharp edge looming, the often deep groove was still ingrained. As the material came mostly brass or bronze is used, but other alloys have been used sporadically. Scribed often found monograms, so the Palm characters or P- and E - mark, which could not be conclusively interpreted so far. On the front are found as coin design old ruler, pagan gods, poets or heroes. On the back of the circus or theater games were like shown. Also car racing can be found there. Over one hundred different types are known today.

As to the purpose and use of the contorniates so could be achieved here in the research so far no consensus. Some researchers have so as to use the medallion as a game or identification marks suspected. The use as Win prizes in games has already been considered. The ancient historian Alfoldi suspected as a use as a propaganda medium oppositional circles of the Senate against the Christian emperors houses, for which the common figure of pagan deities or anti-Christian rulers would speak on the medallions.