OTD 1705 years ago Constantius II is born: Fear and loathing in Constantinople

[Ryro]

Much like the power vacuum and succession of familicide that the Julio-Claudi would go through a few hundred years before so did the sins (typo that worked out)...sons of Constantine the Irate upon his death in 337 CE.

Constantius II was the most successful of the three sons Constantine had left after murdering his oldest, Crispus. Though, Constantius II would immediately have his uncle, father in law and some cousins put to death (his brother, Constans the first load and proud Augustus, would have their other brother murdered to take his land in 340) it still pailed in comparison to their father's predilection for predeceasing kin.

MAYBE if he'd killed off his brothers and found a wife or two to boil alive he'd live up to the pure evil of pops.

(Yeah, Con-stain-tine did that too)

However, our man would die on the way to fight his Pagan cousin Julian the Apostate. Before his death he would declare Julian sole Augustus. Hurray Pagans!

Both he and his father would be buried in, "The Church of holy Apostles".

(No Adam. I kid you not)

Constantius II

As Caesar, AD 324-337. Æ Follis, Treveri (Trier) mint. Struck AD 326. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust left / Camp-gate with two turrets and no door; star above; PTR(pellet-within-crescent). RIC VII 480; LRBC 29. Gift from @Severus Alexander

 

I would wager that everyone reading this has at least one Constantius II to add to the thread. I once read that there are more Constantius II coins left around than any other ruler! So please, love him or hate him let's see your coins of Constantius II!

Edited August 7, 2022 by Ryro

[shanxi]

20 hours ago, Ryro said:

I would wager that everyone reading this has at least one Constantius II to add to the thread

Exactly one, from the time when I still collected the emperor series.

 

CONSTANTIUS II.
Reduced Siliqua, Arles
Obv.: DN CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust
Rev.: VOTIS/XXX/MVLTIS/XXXX within wreath, PCON
Ag, 17mm, 2.1 g
Ref.: RIC VIII, 207

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by shanxi

[wittwolff]

Here some coins of the man:

Constantius II Caesar - Follis - Rome mint

Obv.: FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C

Rev.: PROVIDENTIAE CAESS

Emperor Constantius II. - Follis - Siscia mint

Obv.: DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG

Rev.: CONCORDIA MILITVM

Emperor Constantius II. - Follis - Constantinople mint

Obv.: DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG

Rev.: FEL TEMP REPARATIO

[maridvnvm]

Until now I have never counted and I appear to have over 150 coins of him. Aarrgghh.

Obv:– D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, Pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed, bust right
Rev:– FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Helmeted soldier to left, shield on left arm, spearing falling horseman; shield on ground at right. Horseman is bearded and falls forward reaching towards emperor (type FH3)
Minted in Antioch (Gamma | _ //ANS). A.D. 350-355

Edited August 7, 2022 by maridvnvm

[Spaniard]

My only one!

Constantius II. 337-361 AD. AE Nummus (1.57 gm, 16mm). Antioch mint. Struck 347-348 AD.
Obv.: D N CONSTAN TIVS P F AVG, diademed head right.
Rev.: VOT / XX / MVLT / XXX, in laurel wreath below, SMANBT. RIC#113.

[Jims,Coins]

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.256. DVM #72. LRBC #744.

 

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 4) minted at Antioch (SMANT) during the reign of CONSTANTANTIUS II between 347 – 348 A.D. Pre reform bronze coinage Obv. D.N.CONSTAN-TIVS.P.F.AVG. Pearl diad. bust r. Rev. VOT XX MVLT XXX. in four lines within wreath with jewel at apex. RCS #4000. RICVIII #113 pg.451. DVM #83 pg. 299. LRBC #1397.

Bronze coin (AE 3/4) minted at RSIS* = Siscia, Yugoslavia during the reign of CONSTANTIUS II, as Caesar, in 337 A.D. Obv. FL.IVL.CONSTANTIVS.NOB. C. Laureate, draped & cuirassed bust r. Rev. GLOR-IA.EXERC-ITVS. Two soldiers stg., spear in other hand; between them one standard. RCS #3987. RICVII #263 pg.460 DVM #73. LRBC #756.

[Orange Julius]

I have lots of Constantius II coins… too many. Here’s a more recent buy, a mid-series/sized Fallen Horseman from Antioch. I like the rich color, glossy surface and nice style. Antioch and Alexandria produced the most artistic coins of the time in my opinion.

Constantius II
OBV: DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right 
REV: FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO, soldier spearing fallen horseman who is bearded, 
hair in two braids, reaching backwards; S in left field, ANB
RIC VIII 148, 352-353 Ad

[Etcherdude]

1 hour ago, Ryro said:

I would wager that everyone reading this has at least one Constantius II to add to the thread. I once read that there are more Constantius II coins left around than any other ruler! So please, love him or hate him let's see your coins of Constantius II!

I don’t have a single Constantine II coin 🥲

[Celator]

Constantius II
Mint: Antioch
324 to 325 AD
AE Follis
Obvs: Laureate, draped, and cuirass bust left.
Revs: CONSTAN TI•VS CAESAR SMANTS in four lines. Star above, dot below.
16x18mm, 2.32g
Ref: RIC VII 60; LRBC 1327

Edited August 7, 2022 by Celator

[maridvnvm]

Obv:– D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding globe
Rev:– FEL . TEMP . REPARATIO, Soldier advancing right, head left, holding spear and leading small figure from hut beneath tree
Minted in Alexandria (* //ALED).
Reference:– RIC VIII Alexandria 66 var (RIC 66 rated S, Not listed for this officina in RIC)

[maridvnvm]

Obv:– D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, Pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
Rev:– FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Emperor standing left on galley, holding phoenix on globe and labarum; Victory behind, steering galley
Minted in Rome (E | _ //RS). A.D. 348 - 350
Reference:- RIC VIII Rome Unlisted (127 var, not listed with RS, 127 is R2)

[Romancollector]

 

At the moment this is my only coin of Constantius II, but I'm quite happy with it!

AR Miliarense of Thessalonica

[Severus Alexander]

Two not in the thread yet...

AR siliqua, Sirmium c. 351-55

^ AE centenionalis, HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS, Siscia c. 354

[CPK]

My nicest Constantius II

[Curtis JJ]

Great idea for a thread, I would've had no idea!

And what better opportunity to bring out (again) the coin that I've nicknamed, "The Gran Constantinople..." The name references its unusual size (almost 7.7g, making it one of the few largest documented specimens; but see note below about a couple larger ones). I have some with better/more interesting reverses or better surfaces, but I do really like the portrait on this one, and "the whole package."

Photo Credit: Bertolami. (My own attempts still aren't as good as I feel it deserves.)

Roman Empire, Constantius II Fallen Horseman, Constantinople 348-351 CE. Overweight specimen (7.67g, 25mm, 12h).

 

 

Coin-in-hand video: LINK [or slightly longer video (1m0s) with others]
Constantius II (Augustus, 337-361 CE) AE Centenionalis (7.67g, 25mm, 12h). Struck in Constantinople, 348-351.
Obv: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust, surrounded by border of dots. 
Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO // Γ to left // CONSЄ* in exergue. Soldier standing left, holding long oval shield with circular boss, and spearing fallen horseman; bearded horseman astride fallen horse, turning and reaching back with left arm (FH3), wearing short-brimmed Scythian helmet, ornate tunic, and trousers. "Centering dot" (?) between soldier and horse. Dotted border.
Ref: RIC 82, LRBC 2026; cf. RIC 81 (FH4). NVMMVS BIBLE II NBD N° 61536 (this coin; LINK).
Prov: Ex-Bertolami Fine Arts Auction 37 (19 Sept 2017), Lot #689 (corr. RIC 81) & e-92 (2 Oct 2020), Lot 1554 (corr., RIC 81, weight reported as 7.70g).
Note: Based on the weight distribution provided in RIC VIII (Kent et al. 1981) for all "Large AE2" types (not just fallen horsemen), only 2 of 405 specimens are as heavy or heavier than this one (7.7g & 8.2g). One Constantius Gallus Fallen Horseman weighing over 8.10g is reported in ACSearch (Roma 13, 939); Doug Smith has reported a 9.5g (!) Cyzicus FH in his collection, c. 1997.

Edited August 28, 2022 by Curtis JJ

[maridvnvm]

At 6.12 gms this RIC 81 is a comparative lightweight. 

[kapphnwn]

Constantius II Av Solidus Antioch 355-361 AD Obv. Bust facing slightly to the right  helmeted draped and cuirassed holding spear over his right shoulder and carrying shield emblazoned with horseman riding down enemy in his left. Rv  Roma and Constantinopolis  seated holding shield between them RIC 168 4.38 grms 21 mm Photo by W. HansenI believe this is the earliest example of what later became the iconic image of the Roman Emperor on a gold solidus. This image is remarkably detailed  and is well balanced. I have owned this coin for a number of years. At the time I bought it as a lot remaindered  from an auction

[Ryro]

Jeez! Some stunning coins for the time period in this thread... or any period in some cases! Thanks so much for helping celebrate one of if not the most minted men!

Is posting additional coins in your own thread coinsterbation?

I've seen a few silly Siliqua, but no holed coins so far:

Constantius II

AD 337-361. AR Siliqua (20mm, 1.77 g, 5h). Constantinople mint, 11th officina. Struck AD 351-355. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VOTIS/XXX/MVLTIS/XXXX in four lines; all within wreath; C·IA. RIC VIII 102; RSC 342-3j. holed

Ex-Savoca

Edited August 8, 2022 by Ryro

[Ryro]

4 hours ago, Etcherdude said:

I don’t have a single Constantine II coin 🥲

It's sad enough not having a Constantine II coin

However, THIS IS A THREAD ABOUT CONSTANTIUS II! 😜

 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I don't know, I kind of identify with the guy; I was in a near Constantius-level rage after trying to deal with the totally defective and largely useless 'verify' part of the state website.

I haven't purposely bought a coin of Constantius II in 25 years; any one since had just come along with something else, but I have one or two nice AE2's (not photographed).   I would like to pick up a Siliqua, however; especially one of the Italian mints.  The holed Siliqua looks kind of familiar... Was it from a vcoins dealer?

Coincidences, coincidences; I was just listening to the HIstory of Rome podcast about Constantius II last week.

[Ryro]

6 minutes ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said:

Was it from a vcoins dealer?

Coincidences, coincidences; I was just listening to the HIstory of Rome podcast about Constantius II last week.

Thanks! I'd love to see those AE2s. 

You probably recognize it from Savoca  *updated the post with its description. 

I love a good podcast! Is that a new one or the one someone did a few years back?

[Roman Collector]

I have several, but most of them are uncleaned lot material and look it, too. Here's my most photogenic specimen. I like this reverse type. 



Constantius II, AD 337-361.
Roman Æ 3 (1/4 maiorina?), 2.36 g, 18.7 mm, 11 h.
Siscia, AD 348-49, fifth officina.
Obv: D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Phoenix, nimbate, standing right on mound of rocks; ЄSIS(symbol 5) in exergue.
Refs: RIC viii p. 366, 240; LRBC II 1133; RCV 18250; Cohen 58.

[zumbly]

Did someone say holed coins? I count this one has having one and a half. 😊

CONSTANTIUS II
AE3, Holed. 2.27g, 18.3mm.
Antioch mint, AD 324-325. RIC VII Antioch 60 (R2).
O: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
R: CONSTAN / TI • VS / CAESAR in three lines; SMANTΔ / • below.

 

Siliqua, same mint and workshop as Sev's upthread.

CONSTANTIUS II
AR Siliqua. 2.2g, 20.5mm.
Sirmium mint, AD 355-361. RIC 68; Cohen 343.
O: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
R: VOTIS XXX MVLTIS XXXX in four lines in wreath; SIRM in exergue.
Ex Michael Kelly Collection

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

8 minutes ago, Ryro said:

Thanks! I'd love to see those AE2s. 

You probably recognize it from Savoca  *updated the post with its description. 

I love a good podcast! Is that a new one or the one someone did a few years back?

It's teh History of Rome by Mike Duncan.  I get mine from Apple podcasts (Downthemall works with it), but it should come up in a google search.

Having largely gone through all the episodes, I'm onto another podcast, the Emperors of Rome (various professors), also Apple podcasts.

[O-Towner]

Here's one of my favorite Constantius II "spearing fallen soldier" Ae type from the Rome mint (25mm, 5.3gms):

Obv: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG; Laureate and cuirassed bust right holding globe

Rev: GLORIA ROMANORVM: Emperor in military dress, with shield on left arm, galloping right and spearing kneeling barbarian; shield and broken spear below horse; star above, R T in exergue

Edited August 8, 2022 by O-Towner