Ancients
Constantius II, as Augustus (AD 337-361). AV solidus (21mm, 4.56 gm, 6h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style. Sirmium, AD 355-361. FL IVL CONSTAN-TIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust of Constantius II facing, head slightly right, spear in right hand over shoulder, shield in left decorated with horseman motif / GLORIA-REI-PVBLICAE, Roma enthroned facing (on left), spear in left hand, and Constantinopolis enthroned left (on right), scepter in left hand, jointly holding between them with their right hands a shield inscribed VOT/XXXV/MVLT/XXXX; SIRM* in exergue. RIC VIII 57.
The armored three-quarter facing bust type seen on this solidus was an innovation by Constantius II that became an archetype for Late Roman and Byzantine coinage struck at Eastern mints. Later die engravers took less care to produce a distinctive portrait, however, and from the later fourth century forward the imperial busts became generic and virtually interchangeable.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-constantius-ii-as-augustus-ad-337-361-av-solidus-21mm-456-gm-6h-ngc-choice-au-5-5-3-5-fine-styl/a/3081-30197.s?type=CoinArchives3081
HID02906262019
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 1500-2000 USD