Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3044 3-4 January 2016
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Constans (AD 337-350). AV solidus (21mm, 4.41 gm, 6h). Trier, AD 347-348. CONSTANS AVGVSTVS, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constans right / VICTORIAE D D N N AVGG, two Victories standing facing holding between them a wreath inscribed VOT X MVLT XX in four lines; TR in exergue. RIC VIII 135. Depeyrot 6/3. Pleasing detail, surfaces and eye-appeal. NGC MS 5/5 - 5/5.Youngest son of Constantine the Great, Flavius Julius Constans was born between AD 320 and 323. After the death of Constantine, Constans at first received only Italy and Africa as his sphere, but at a conference late in AD 337, his realm was enlarged to include the Balkan territories and Thrace, including the prestigious capital of Constantinople. These had been under the control of Constantius II, with whom Constans formed an alliance to thwart the dominance of their senior, Constantine II. Angered by their collusion, Constantine II invaded Italy in the spring of AD 340, but fell into an ambush and perished. In the territorial redistribution, Constans ended up controlling the entire Roman West, including Spain, Gaul, Germany and Britain. At first, he ruled with energy and ability, dealing the Franks a series of defeats in AD 341-342 and conducting operations in Britain along Hadrian's Wall in AD 343. As time went on, Constans sank into indolence and depravity; worse for his own security, he showed open contempt for the soldiery, on whom his power rested. In January of AD 350, a cabal of senior officers rebelled and hailed the general Magnentius as emperor. Constans attempted to flee toward Spain, but was overtaken and executed.
Estimate: 3500-4500 USD
Constans (AD 337-350). AV solidus (21mm, 4.41 gm, 6h). Trier, AD 347-348. CONSTANS AVGVSTVS, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constans right / VICTORIAE D D N N AVGG, two Victories standing facing holding between them a wreath inscribed VOT X MVLT XX in four lines; TR in exergue. RIC VIII 135. Depeyrot 6/3. Pleasing detail, surfaces and eye-appeal. NGC MS 5/5 - 5/5.Youngest son of Constantine the Great, Flavius Julius Constans was born between AD 320 and 323. After the death of Constantine, Constans at first received only Italy and Africa as his sphere, but at a conference late in AD 337, his realm was enlarged to include the Balkan territories and Thrace, including the prestigious capital of Constantinople. These had been under the control of Constantius II, with whom Constans formed an alliance to thwart the dominance of their senior, Constantine II. Angered by their collusion, Constantine II invaded Italy in the spring of AD 340, but fell into an ambush and perished. In the territorial redistribution, Constans ended up controlling the entire Roman West, including Spain, Gaul, Germany and Britain. At first, he ruled with energy and ability, dealing the Franks a series of defeats in AD 341-342 and conducting operations in Britain along Hadrian's Wall in AD 343. As time went on, Constans sank into indolence and depravity; worse for his own security, he showed open contempt for the soldiery, on whom his power rested. In January of AD 350, a cabal of senior officers rebelled and hailed the general Magnentius as emperor. Constans attempted to flee toward Spain, but was overtaken and executed.
Estimate: 3500-4500 USD