Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[Roman Collector]

I've been away from this thread for a week or so. Looks like we're on Constans and Contantine II. Here's one of each.

This one has been passed around like a doobie at a Phish concert! Formerly owned by @dougsmit and purchased from @JAZ Numismatics, it now resides in my collection.

 

Constans, AD 337-350.
Roman billon light maiorina, 3.88 g, 19.6 mm, 5 h.
Antioch, sixth officina, AD 348-350.
Obv: D N CONSTA-NS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, left, holding globe in right hand.
Rev: FEL TEMP REPA-RATIO, soldier advancing right, looking back, leading barbarian (child?) out of a hut beneath a tree and holding a spear in the left hand; * in upper left field, ANS in exergue.
Refs: RIC 128; RCV 18700; Cohen 19; LRBC II 2617.

 

Constantine II, Caesar 316-337.
Roman billon centenionalis, 3.04 g, 19.2 mm, 11 h.
Trier, 2nd officina, AD 320.
Obv: CONSTANTI-NVS IVN N C, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, left.
Rev: VIRTVS EXERCIT, trophy with bound captives seated to left and right; STR in exergue.
Refs: RIC vii, p. 187, 265; Cohen 262; RCV 17285.

[Curtisimo]

I believe Constantine II is still game!

Roman Empire
Constantine II as Caesar (AD 317 - 337)
AE Follis, Siscia mint, struck ca. AD 330 - 333
Obv.: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C. Laureate, cuirassed bust right.
Rev.: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS. Two soldiers standing, facing each other with spear in outer hand, inner hand on shield resting on ground; two standards between.
Ref.: RIC VII 220 (Siscia)
Purchased in Jerusalem, Nov. 2016

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

 

Now is the time to move on to two additional characters in the historical drama of Ancient Rome, Vetranio and Constantius II. While Vetranio was elderly, Constantius had been a youngish emperor when he stepped onto the throne. Amongst the things he was notable for was support of the Arian heresy in contradiction to the Council of Nicaea's promulgations that Christ and God the father were consubstantial. He raised Julian II the Apostate to Caesar largely because he had no choice, and prepared for war with Persia which was carried on by Julian. During his long reign he struck a vast number of FEL TEMP REPARATIO coins with primarily 3 different reverse types, falling horseman, soldier leading a small figure from a hut, and the Phoenix bird.

Vetranio was declared Caesar in the West on March 1, 350, largely upon the instigation of Constantina, the wife of Constantinus II whose brother, Constans, had been killed by the usurper Magnentius. However his coinage portrayed him as Augustus rather than Caesar. At first Constantius II accepted the situation and even sent money and troops to Vetranio to help him fight Magnentius. 

On December 25th, 350 Constantius mounted a rostrum in Naissus along with Vetranio and gave a strong speech to the assembled soldiers of Vetranio that he, Constantius, should be the sole emperor. Vetranio agreed to step down and the aged statesman was called "father" by Constantius II. He was given a pension and lived out the remainder of his days peacefully in Bithynia.

Vetranio 350 C.E. AE 2 23mm 5.1 grams

Obverse: DN VETRANIO PF AVG Diademed, draped, and cuirassed but right, A behind head in left field

Reverse: CONCORDIA MILITVM Vetranio standing left between two labara with the Chi-Rho, star above

Mintmark: dot ASIS (Siscia)

Reference: RIC VIII 285A, Sear 18903

 

Constantius II, 337-361 C.E.

Type: AE3 21mm 3.8 grams

Obverse: DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG Diademed, cuirassed, and draped bust right

Reverse: FEL TEMP REPARATIO Phoenix bird on globe with star

Mint: Antioch

 

[mc9]

Time for the Constantius II portraits :

As Caesar :FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C : bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust left

PROVIDEN-TIAE CAES•  //SMNΔ : camp-gate with no doors and two turrets, star above, 8 rows

Follis, Nicomedia,A.D. 328 - 329, RIC VII 158 : note about bare head

as Augustus :D N CONSTAN - TIVS P F AVG : pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right

FEL TEMP RE - PARATIO  Γ//ANΔ : soldier spearing fallen horseman

Maiorina. Antioch, AD 350-355, RIC VIII 135

DN CONSTAN - TIUS PF AVG : Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; A behind

HOC SIG - NO VICTOR ERIS  A//•ASIS* : emperor standing left, holding labarum and spear; to right, Victory standing left, crowning him with wreath

Centenionalis, Siscia, AD 350, RIC VIII 282

D N CONSTAN - TIVS P F AVG : A Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius to right, A behind bust, ✱ before

CONCORDIA MILITVM / A /•ΓSIS• :  Constantius standing facing, head turned to left, holding labarum with Christogram in each hand; above his head, star

Centenionalis, Siscia, A.D. 350, RIC 284

[Ursus]

Two Constantius II coins that I like:

 

Constantius II, Roman Empire, AE3, 348–352 AD, Constantinople mint. Obv: D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG; bust of Constantius II, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO; phoenix, radiate, standing r. on globe; in exergue, CONSA. 17mm, 2.36g. RIC VIII Constantinople 93.

Constantius II, Roman Empire, AE2, 351–355 AD, Constantinople mint. Obv: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG; bust of Constantius II, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO; helmeted soldier to l., shield on l. arm, spearing falling horseman; shield on ground at r.; horseman wearing pointed cap, slumping forward and clutching horse’s neck; in field l., Γ•; in exergue, CONSθ. 23mm, 4.11g. RIC VIII Constantinople 106.

[Hughie Dwyer]

Constantius II:

 

[wittwolff]

Constantius II. as Caesar and Augustus:

And here poor Gallus:

[Hughie Dwyer]

Oh, sorry, my fault. I did not know this slot included Constantius Gallus 😆🙃

 

[John Conduitt]

Constantius II Follis, 324-325
Londinium. Bronze, 20mm. 2.99g. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust left; FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C. Campgate with two turrets; star above; PROVIDENTIAE CAESS; mintmark PLON (RIC VII, 298).

Constantius Gallus (as Caesar) Follis, 351-354

Rome. Billon, 4.01g. Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right; DN FL CL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES. Helmeted, draped and cuirassed soldier advancing left, right knee raised, spearing fallen horseman with right hand and wearing shield on left arm; shield on ground to right; horseman wearing a Phrygian cap, falling forward, clutching horse's neck; S in left field; FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO (RIC VIII, 268). Thought to be from the Freckenham (Suffolk) Hoard 1948, a narrow-necked brick red jar found after deep ploughing containing 525 bronze coins dated 306 to 361, some of which were barbarous. Portable Antiquities Scheme: IARCH-C9D277.

[expat]

Constantius II

 

[DonnaML]

I have two coins of Constantius II, one as Caesar and one (my earliest siliqua, from the East Harptree Hoard) as Augustus:

Constantius II Caesar (son of Constantine I), silvered billon centenionalis, Trier Mint (2nd Officina) 326 AD. Obv. laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left, FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C / Rev. Campgate with six rows, two turrets, no door, and star between turrets; PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS. In exergue: STR followed by pellet in crescent. RIC VII Trier 480S (p. 209), Sear RCV V 17618. 19 mm., 3.09 g.

Constantius II (son of Constantine I), AR reduced Siliqua, Lugdunum (Lyon) Mint, 360-361 AD. Obv. Rosette-diademed [despite description by all dealers as pearl-diademed], draped, and cuirassed bust right, D N CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG / Rev. Victory advancing left, holding wreath in right hand and palm frond in left, both wings visible [despite description by all dealers as one wing visible], VICTORIA DD NN AVG; in exergue, mint mark LVG (Lugdunum). 17 mm., 2.06 g. RIC VIII 211 at p. 193 [both wings visible]; RSC V 259b (ill. p. 131) [rosette-diademed; both wings visible, = RIC VIII 211]; Sear RCV V 17948 (ill. p. 165) [applicable to RIC 210-211 & 214]. Purchased from Herakles Numismatics, July 2022; ex Triskeles Auction 31, 27.03.2020, Lot 344; ex Spink Auction 16006, 26-27 Sep 2016, East Harptree Hoard Sale, Part of Lot 2929 (see https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=1689&lot=2929); from 1887 East Harptree hoard (one of 49 coins of this type in hoard; see article with inventory, “On a Hoard of Roman Coins Found at East Harptree, Near Bristol,” The Numismatic Chronicle (Vol. VIII, London 1888), pp. 22-46 at pp. 39-40; available at https://archive.org/details/thirdnumismatic08royauoft/page/40/mode/1up.*

* The East Harptree hoard was discovered in 1887 on the land of Mr. W. Kettlewell of Harptree Court, while a search for a new spring was being conducted. Mr. Kettlewell kindly made them available for study at the British Museum, and they were written up by John Evans for the Numismatic Chronicle of 1888, pages 22-46. The British Museum was given a few of the most interesting coins, and the rest were returned to the owner. Many years later they were given to the father of the consignor by Mr. Kettlewell's son, and they have remained in their packing ever since. Evans noted \The coins when found were to some extent coated in dirt, and with what was probably a little chloride of silver. When carefully washed and brushed their remarkably good preservation became apparent, and there were none but what could be attributed to the emperor under whom they were struck\\. The coins offered here are as they were when returned from the BM in 1887/1888. Many exhibit light deposit, which could be easily removed by a competent conservator, but at the expense of the mint bloom that is apparent on many. The overall quality is remarkable, and few, if any, are clipped. Large numbers look ordinary to the naked eye, but when tilted towards the light, or examined under magnification, reveal extraordinary quality. (See https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=1689&lot=2858 .)

I don't have anything from Vetranio, and I've never come across a Constantius Gallus that I found sufficiently appealing to buy.
 

Edited April 26, 2023 by DonnaML

[Jims,Coins]

Bronze coin (AE 3) minted at Cyzicus during the reign of CONSTANTIUS II, as Caesar, between 326 - 327 A.D. Obv. FL.IVL.CONSTANTIVS.NOB. C. Laureate, draped & cuirassed bust l. Rev. PROVIDENTIAE.CAESS. Camp-gate with 6 rows, two turrets, no doors, star above, top & bottom rows empty blocks. RCS #3984. RICVII #48 pg. 650. DVM #70. LRBC #1175.

Bronze coin (AE 3/4) minted at RSIS = Siscia, Yugoslavia during the reign of CONSTANTIUS II, as Caesar, between 334 - 335 A.D. Obv. FL.IVL.CONSTANTIVS.NOB. C. Laureate, draped & cuirassed bust r. Rev. GLOR-IA.EXERC-ITVS. Two soldiers with two standards. RCS #3986. RICVII #237 pg.456. DVM #72. LRBC #744.

Bronze coin (AE 3) minted at Siscia during the reign of CONSTANTIUS II between 355 - 361 A.D. Obv. D.N.CONSTAN-TIVS.P.F.AVG. Rev. FEL.TEMP.-REPARATIO. Helmeted soldier advancing l., shield on l. arm, spearing fallen horseman; shield on ground at r., horseman is beardless & wears cap, he falls forward on neck of horse. RCS #4010. DVM #100. LRBC #1231.

 

Silver Coin (AR Siliqua) minted at Constantinople during the reign of CONSTANTANTIUS II between 341 – 346 A.D. Obv. D.N.CONSTANTIVS.AVG. diad. dr. & cuir. bust r. Rev. FELICITVS.REIPVBLICE.VOT.XX.MVLT.XXX. wreath enclosing VOT XX MVLT XXXX.RSCV #70b. RICVIII #59 pg.451. DVM #43.

Bronze coin (AE Centenionalis) minted at SMNr=Nicomedia during the reign of CONSTANTIUS II after 348 A.D. Obv. D.N.CONSTANTIVS.P.F.AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding labarum. Rev. Emperor in military dress stg. l., holding standard with Chi-Rho on banner & resting l. hand on shield; in front of Emperor are two captives kneeling (var. b). RCS #4004. RICVIII #71 pg. 476. DVM #87 pg. 300. Dark chocolate brown patina

[Jims,Coins]

Bronze coin (AE 3) minted at Siscia during the reign of CONSTANTIUS GALLUS, as Caesar, between 351 - 354 A.D. Obv. D.N.CONSTANTIVS.IVN.NOB.C. Bareheaded & cuirassed bust r. Rev. FEL.TEMP-.REPARATIO. Soldier advancing l., spearing fallen horseman. RCS #4056. RICVIII #354 pg.375. DVM #7. LRBC #1219 C162

 

Bronze Coin (AE Centenionalis) (23mm, 5.46 g. 6h) minted at Thessalonica, 2^nd officina, during the reign of VETRANIO in 350 A.D. Obv. D.N.VETRANIO.P.F.AVG. laur., dr. and cuir. bust right. Rev. CONCORDIA.MILITVM. VETRANIO, in military dress stg. facing, hd. l., holding in each hand a standard with Chi-Rho on the banner; over his head, a star. A-B//*TSB* RCS #4041. RICVIII #132 pg.414. DVM #6

 

 

[Humilau]

Not the best obverse with the surfaces. But the reverse is probably one of the best engraving styles I have ever seen for a fallen horseman. Some engraver at the second officina of Antioch really did a bang up job engraving in such high detail, the armor is fantastically engraved. 

Constantius II

AE 2

Mint: Antioch

Officina: 2nd

Obv: DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG

Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO; Γ in left field, ANB in exergue 

RIC VII 135

[Shea19]

My only one of his…always liked his hairstyles

Constantius Gallus, Caesar, AE Centenionalis (23mm, 6.49 g). Alexandria mint, 3rd off. 351-355 AD, Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust r. / Soldier standing l., holding round shield and spearing fallen horseman to lower left;Γ/–//ALEΓ. RIC VIII 74.
Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection of Late Roman Bronzes.

Edited April 27, 2023 by Shea19

[CPK]

Here is my best Constantius II portrait (and yet another Fallen Horseman type.) I always thought mine was more artistically engraved than most, but after seeing @Humilau's stunning example I'm not so sure! 

[mc9]

Vetranio: The first one was candidate figurant for the series "The walking dead ":

D N VETRA - NIO P F AVG : laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right

GLORIA – RO - MANORVM //ЄSIS : emperor standing facing in military attire, head left, holding standard with Chi-Rho on banner, and spear; in exergue.

Nummus, Siscia, AD 350, RIC VIII 294

D N VETRA - IO P F AVG : laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, A behind and star before

CONCORDIA - MILITVM  A//•ΓSIS* : emperor facing, head left, wearing diadem and in military dress, holding standards in each hand with Chi-Rho on the banners; star above him,

Centenionalis, Siscia, AD 350, RIC VIII 290

Constantius Gallus :

DN CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C : bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius Gallus right

FEL TEMP REPARATIO // ΔSIS : soldier thrusting left, spearing fallen horseman who reaches up

reduced majorina, A.D. 351-354, Siscia, RIC 351

D N CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C : Bare head, draped and cuirassed bust right
FEL TEMP RE – PARATIO // BSIRM•  : Soldier spearing fallen enemy horseman
Centenionalis, A.D. 353-54, Sirmium, RIC 53

 

 

Edited April 27, 2023 by mc9

[Qcumbor]

Vetranio, AE2, Siscia mint, bought when his coins were considered rare, thus pricey. I couldn't afford a better example back then :

 

Constantius Gallus, AE2, Siscia mint too :

 

From my 5 Constantius II coins, which I all like very much for varius reasons (patina, crisp FH on reverse, nice siliqua), my best choice is undoubtedly this light Miliarense, Ferrando II plate coin to add to its attractiveness

Constantius II, Light miliarense, Ferrando II plate coin - Arles mint (Arelate), 3d officina
DN CONSTAN TIVS PF AVG, Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius right
VIRTVS EXERCITVS, Constantius (soldier) facing holding spear and shield. TCON at exergue
4,54 gr ; 22,6 mm
Ref : RIC VII # 252, Ferrando II # 1026 (this coin), Cohen #326, RC #3993v

Q

[Jims,Coins]

One more day 

Edited April 27, 2023 by Jims,Coins

[Curtisimo]

I have a few Constantius II coins that I really like. Here are two of my favorite portraits.

Roman Empire
Constantius II as Caesar
BI Follis, Arelatum Mint (Arles), 4th officina, struck AD 328
Dia.: 19.9 mm
Wt.: 3.2 g
Obv.: FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: VIRTVS CAESS; Campgate with 4 turrets, star above, gates open, each door with two panels, each panel ornamented with two dots; S – F flanking sides; QCONST in exergue.
Ref.: RIC VII Arles 323
Ex Zachary “Beast” Beasley Collection of Camp Gates. Ex CNG Electronic Auction 134, Lot 452 (March 2006). Ex VAuctions 250, Lot 167 (Aug. 5, 2010). Purchased from FORVM Ancient Coins (Jun. 2019)

Roman Empire
Constantius II
AE Centenionalis, Heraclea mint, struck ca. AD 350-355
Dia.: 22.5 mm
Wt.: 5.3 g
Obv.: DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG; Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO; Γ in left field, SMH (?) in exergue; Helmeted soldier spearing fallen horseman who is reaching back. Hair in braids, no beard. Plain shields.
Ref.: RIC 82 Heraclea (?)
Purchased from Minotaur Coins

[Severus Alexander]

1 hour ago, Jims,Coins said:

Bing 3 eastern standard time 

But it’s not Apr. 28 yet… 😉

[Pellinore]

Some Constantius II coins, the first rather dotty

Constantius II (337-361), AE3 Constantinopolis. Obv. Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. DN CONSTAN / TIVS P F AVG. Rev. Helmeted soldier to left, shield on arm, spearing fallen enemy; shield on ground at right. FEL TEMP R / EPARATIO/ CONSE. 17 mm, 2.71 gr. Nice with all the little dots on reverse.

A jolly Constantius Caesar coin with a smiling prince and two soldiers looking coyly across a traffic light. 

Constantius II as caesar (324-337), AE reduced follis, Antioch. Obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust r. Rev. Two soldiers flanking standard. GLOR- IA EXERC- ITVS/ SMANZ. 15 mm, 1.64 gr. 

Constantius II, cententionalis, Antioch. Obv. Double diademed, draped and cuirassed bust t.r. DN CONSTAN / TIVS P F AVG. Rev. Soldier spearing fallen horseman, shield right. FEL TEMP REP/ ARATIO. Exergue ANAI. 22 mm, 5.91 gr. Some silvering. Nicely preserved. 

Vetranio, 350, AE Maiorina, mpl Siscia. Obv.: D N VETRA-NIO P F AVG, Laureate cuirassed bust, met on the left in field A, on the right a star. Rev.: CONCORDIA MILITVM / A /  • A SIS • . Emperor with two labara. RIC 285. 4.47 gr, 24 mm. 

AE barbarous centenionalis ‘Constantius Gallus’, 351-354. Obv. Head r. with Caesar’s text all around, readable only NST and IVS I. Rev. Emperor in military dress between two standards with christogram, unreadable text around, SMAL in exergue. 21.5 mm, 4.84 gr. 

AE ‘Constantius II’. Obv. Head t.r. with striking large forehead jewel. Inscription THIS WTIIII. Rev. Two Victories extend a wreath to each other. Inscription IIII. Smaller than usual. 13 mm, 1.06 gr.

Constantinus II as caesar, ca. 320-325 (prototype). AE follis. Local imitation. Stylized (or caricatured) laureated bust t.r./Wreath with VOT/ XX. Both sides with ‘mumble script’. 2.18 gr. 

Constantius II siliqua. Contemporary barbaric imitation. VOT/ V. 15 mm, 1.59 gr.

[expat]

Another Constantius II I found, although heavily encrusted

Constantius II, as Caesar, 18mm, 1.78gr AE3. Aquileia 335-336 AD.
Authority of Constantine I
Obv: FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, two soldiers facing with spears and shields, two standards between, F between standards, AQS in ex.
RIC VII 133 R5.

 

[Severus Alexander]

My favourite portrait of Constantius II:

^ I find it to be fairly lifelike by late Constantinian standards.

We've already seen a couple of these as Caesar, with silly pompoms:

A couple more I like:

I need to clean this Gallus a bit more:

My Vetranio:

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

It is now 3 Eastern Standard time and we are moving on to the next set of characters. This usurper against Constantius II in the West eventually lost the battle of Mons Seleucus to the aforementioned ruler and committed suicide.

Magnentius, 350-353 C.E.

AE1 Majorina, 24 mm, 7.2 grams, 6H Trier mint, Mintmark TRS

Obverse: IM CAE MAGNENTIVS AVG Bare-headed, draped, and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: FELICITAS REIPVBLICAE Magnentius standing slightly left, head left, Victory on globe in right hand, labarum in left; A in right field //TRS, crescent in exergue

Reference: RIC VIII Trier 264, ex-JAZ Numismatics, 2018

 

 

Decentius, 350-353 C.E. Brother of Magnentius and Caesar in the West. Constantius II actually encouraged the Alemanni to invade Gaul to split the forces of Magnentius and Decentius. After losing a pitched battle to this tribe Decentius was expelled from Trier and upon hearing the news of the result of the battle of Mons Seleucus and the death of his brother - Decentius strangled himself, signaling the end of the revolt.

Type: Bronze AE2 Weight: 5.39 g Diameter: 24.00 mm

Mintmark SAR: Arles

Obverse: DN DECENTIVS CAESAR, bareheaded cuirassed bust of Decentius right, A in left field

Reverse: VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE, two Victories holding shield inscribed VOT / V / MVLT X

ex - auctioneer, December 2020