Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire

Constans, son of Constantine III, 410 – 411. Siliqua, AR 1.38 g. 410-411, AR 1.38 g. D N CONSTA – NS P F [AVG] Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. VICTOR – IA AAGGG Roma seated l. on cuirass, holding Victory on globe and reversed spear; in exergue, SMCS. C 1 var. (in exergue, KON). RIC 1537 var. (in exergue, SMTR). Laufaurie –. LRC –
Exceedingly rare, only very few specimens known. A scuff on obverse
and surface somewhat corroded, otherwise about very fine
As the son of Constantine III, a soldier who was hailed emperor by his comrades in Britain, it was natural that Constans II would serve in his father's regime. Times were difficult in the West, and desperate measures were required to preserve the order. The soldiers abandoned hope that Honorius would defend the western provinces, as he was occupied with trying to keep the Visigoths out of Italy. So they hailed their own emperor three times in rapid succession – Marcus, Gratian and Constantine III. The first two were killed quickly and issued no coins, but the last survived approximately four years before he was captured and executed. Though Britain had just been ravaged by the Picts, Constantine III crossed the Channel into Gaul to fend off Honorius general Sarus and to try to expel the Burgundians, Vandals, Alans, Alemanni, Franks and Suevi who had crossed the frozen Rhine into Germany and Gaul. Constantine III found success and eventually enlarged his domain to include Britain, northern Spain, Germany, Gaul and seemingly also Rhaetia. His victories were significant, but his gains were temporary, as rebellions soon arose in Britain and in Spain. Constans II apparently was a monk before he was hailed Caesar. Even his younger brother Julian seems to have been given the title nobilissimus at the time Constans II was hailed Caesar, but nothing else is known of him. Presumably in 408 Constans II was sent to Spain with his father's magister militum Gerontius to secure the peninsula. Their work was only partially successful and Constans II returned to Gaul with two ringleaders of the pro-Honorius resistance, Verenianus and Didymus, both of whom were executed at Arles. By 410 Constans father had raised him from Caesar to Augustus. The only coins struck for Constans II are siliquae from Arles and Trier, the inscriptions of which confirm he held the rank of Augustus. Though flattering, the promotion was an empty gesture, and we are fortunate that a handful of his coins survive as a testament to his reign. From Spain Gerontius returned to Gaul to besiege, capture and execute Constans II at Vienne, and a few months later helped to assure his father was also captured and executed.