Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXI 24-25 Mar 2021
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Constantine III AV Solidus. Lugdunum, AD 407-408. D N CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIAAA AVGGGG, Emperor standing to right, holding labarum and Victory on globe, treading on captive to right; L-D across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 1506; Lyon 244c; Depeyrot 20/3. 4.49g, 22mm, 6h.
Fleur De Coin. Very Rare; an exceptional example of the type.
From the Shackleford Collection.
"Thus happened this revolt or defection of Britain and the Celtic nations, when Constantine usurped the empire, by whose negligent government the barbarians (Saxons) were emboldened to commit such devastations" (New History, Book VI). So writes the historian Zosimus, one of only two primary sources for the brief reign of Constantine III (AD 407-411). This short-lived emperor is today remembered specifically among scholars of Roman Britain as the usurper who removed the remaining Roman garrison troops from Britannia to bolster his dreams of furthering his claims to the purple abroad, thus leaving the province open to Saxon invasion and eventual conquest.
This present solidus, one of the finest to come to auction, was struck in Lugdunum between 407-408. By this time Constantine, long since departed from Britannia, had seized control of Gaul and much of Hispania, established a capital at Arelate and had been officially recognised by Honorius - the incumbent and legitimate emperor based in Ravenna - as co-emperor of the Western Empire.
It was issued to commemorate Constantine's recent expulsion of the barbarian invaders (Vandals, Alans and Burgundians among them) who had crossed the Rhine at the end of 406. The reverse legend, VICTORIAA AVGGG (sic), references these successes, with AVGGG acknowledging his 'colleagues': Honorius and the Eastern Emperor, Theodosius II.
Soon after the minting of this coin, however, Constantine began to lose his grip on power. First, a horde of barbarians again broke through the Rhine defences in the autumn of 409, this time encountering little to no resistance; an ominous sign of things to come for the Western Empire. Next, his influential general Gerontius revolted in Hispania, proclaiming Maximus Tyrannus co-emperor. To compound matters Constantine received news that the Saxons had invaded Britannia, which having been left defenceless suffered greatly: the few literary sources describe violence, destruction, massacre, and the flight of the Romano-British population.
Constantine was unable to recover from these setbacks and rapidly lost the support of his forces. After a desperate attempt to invade Italy failed in mid-411, he was captured by Honorius' general, the future Constantius III, who had him unceremoniously beheaded.
Fleur De Coin. Very Rare; an exceptional example of the type.
From the Shackleford Collection.
"Thus happened this revolt or defection of Britain and the Celtic nations, when Constantine usurped the empire, by whose negligent government the barbarians (Saxons) were emboldened to commit such devastations" (New History, Book VI). So writes the historian Zosimus, one of only two primary sources for the brief reign of Constantine III (AD 407-411). This short-lived emperor is today remembered specifically among scholars of Roman Britain as the usurper who removed the remaining Roman garrison troops from Britannia to bolster his dreams of furthering his claims to the purple abroad, thus leaving the province open to Saxon invasion and eventual conquest.
This present solidus, one of the finest to come to auction, was struck in Lugdunum between 407-408. By this time Constantine, long since departed from Britannia, had seized control of Gaul and much of Hispania, established a capital at Arelate and had been officially recognised by Honorius - the incumbent and legitimate emperor based in Ravenna - as co-emperor of the Western Empire.
It was issued to commemorate Constantine's recent expulsion of the barbarian invaders (Vandals, Alans and Burgundians among them) who had crossed the Rhine at the end of 406. The reverse legend, VICTORIAA AVGGG (sic), references these successes, with AVGGG acknowledging his 'colleagues': Honorius and the Eastern Emperor, Theodosius II.
Soon after the minting of this coin, however, Constantine began to lose his grip on power. First, a horde of barbarians again broke through the Rhine defences in the autumn of 409, this time encountering little to no resistance; an ominous sign of things to come for the Western Empire. Next, his influential general Gerontius revolted in Hispania, proclaiming Maximus Tyrannus co-emperor. To compound matters Constantine received news that the Saxons had invaded Britannia, which having been left defenceless suffered greatly: the few literary sources describe violence, destruction, massacre, and the flight of the Romano-British population.
Constantine was unable to recover from these setbacks and rapidly lost the support of his forces. After a desperate attempt to invade Italy failed in mid-411, he was captured by Honorius' general, the future Constantius III, who had him unceremoniously beheaded.