Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 138 18-19 May 2023
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Constantius II augustus, 337– 361.
Medallion of four nummi argentei or three "light miliarenses", Thessalonica 343, AR 13.34 g. FL IVL CONSTANTI – VS PIVS FELIX AVG Laureate-rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r., holding decorated shield and spear. Rev. TRIVMFATOR – GENTIVM BARBARARVM Emperor standing l., in military attire, holding vexillum and shield. C –. RIC –. Gnecchi –, for similar obverse type, cf. Gnecchi pl. 11, 3 = RIC Siscia 105 and pl. 12, 1 = RIC Constantinople 42.
Apparently unique. A specular medallion with a superb portrait incredibly detailed and
of great iconographical importance perfectly struck on a very large flan.
Wonderful iridescent tone and virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex NAC sale 7, 1994, 810.
Following the death of Constantine I on 22 May AD 337, Constantius II joined his elder brother, Constantine II, and his younger brother, Constans, in purging the family of any potential rivals for the throne and on 9 September divided the Roman Empire among themselves. Constantius II, who may have been the chief architect of the purge, became Augustus in the eastern provinces and retained possession of Constantinople while his brothers assumed the roles of Augusti over the western provinces. Much of the reign of Constantius II was consumed by Germanic invasions and a grinding war against the Sasanian Persian Empire, but was interrupted from time to time by dynastic conflicts and occasional usurpations. A dispute between Constantine II and Constans over the extent of their respective territories resulted in the death of the former in AD 340, leaving Constans as sole Augustus in the West. Six years later, Constantius II almost went to war with his brother over religious matters. The murder of the unpopular Constans in AD 350 permitted the usurpations of Magnentius in Italy and Vetranio in Illyricum, but Constantius II was still fighting the Persians and could not deal with them directly. At last he agreed to recognize Vetranio as Caesar in order to use him against Magnentius and Vetranio. At last, Constantius II was freed from the eastern conflict to march West, first deposing Vetranio, and then destroying Magnentius over the course of AD 351–353. Reports of plotting by Constantius Gallus, a cousin of the Emperor who had been appointed Caesar on the eastern frontier, and his subsequent execution in AD 354, combined with a new revolt in Gaul convinced Constantius II that he needed assistance. Therefore, on 6 November AD 355, he elevated Gallus' half-brother, Julian, as Caesar, and placed him in command of Gaul and the Rhine frontier. Constantius II for his part spent the next few years campaigning against the Sarmatians and the Germanic Quadi along the Danube. When the Persian war heated up again in AD 360, Constantius II asked Julian to send him reinforcements from Gaul. In response, the Gallic legions revolted and proclaimed Julian as Augustus. Constantius II tried to reason with his cousin, but to no avail, and in AD 361 withdrew from the fighting in Mesopotamia to make war on Julian. However, he had only reached Mopsuestia when he developed a fever and was forced to take to his bed. He died on 3 November AD 361 after reportedly naming Julian as his rightful successor. This unique silver medallion, probably valued at four nummi argentei or three light miliarenses, was struck as part of a larger silver emission involving miliarenses and mutiples around AD 343. The reverse legend indicates that the coins were struck to celebrate the triumphs of Constantius II over the "barbarian peoples" (genti barbarum). This seems to refer to his earlier victories over various external threats to the Roman Empire: in AD 332, he defeated the Visigoths and assumed the title Germanicus Maximus; in AD 338, he defeated the Sarmatians and took the name Sarmaticus Maximus; and in AD 343 he claimed the title Adiabenicus Maximus in connection with advances made in the ongoing war against the Sasanian Persians. The reverse type, which is also featured on the smaller silver issues, is commonly described as a standing representation of Constantius II carrying a vexillum and holding a grounded shield. Problematic for this interpretation of the type is the fact that the male figure seems to be bare headed while portraits of Constantius II as reigning Emperor habitually show him wearing the imperial diadem. It may be that this bare-headed figure should be better understood as the personification of Virtus (Roman manliness and bravery) rather than as the Emperor himself. This very same figure also occurs on gold solidi of Constantius II with the reverse legend VIRTVS EXERCITVS solid struck in the period AD 337-340. The obverse type builds on the iconography of the warrior-emperor that developed on Roman coinage over the course of the third and early fourth centuries. This iconography was frequently used in the context of eastern campaigns in order to liken the Emperor to Alexander the Great-the most famous conqueror of the ancient Mediterranean world. Here, in an attractive Late Antique artistic style, Constantius II is shown wearing a full breastplate with what appear to be additional sleeves of scale armor ending in wrist braces. He seems to be marching to war full of purpose with his spear in his right hand and his shield half slung over his shoulder as if warning of the woe to come to the enemies of the Empire once he reaches the front line.
Medallion of four nummi argentei or three "light miliarenses", Thessalonica 343, AR 13.34 g. FL IVL CONSTANTI – VS PIVS FELIX AVG Laureate-rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r., holding decorated shield and spear. Rev. TRIVMFATOR – GENTIVM BARBARARVM Emperor standing l., in military attire, holding vexillum and shield. C –. RIC –. Gnecchi –, for similar obverse type, cf. Gnecchi pl. 11, 3 = RIC Siscia 105 and pl. 12, 1 = RIC Constantinople 42.
Apparently unique. A specular medallion with a superb portrait incredibly detailed and
of great iconographical importance perfectly struck on a very large flan.
Wonderful iridescent tone and virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex NAC sale 7, 1994, 810.
Following the death of Constantine I on 22 May AD 337, Constantius II joined his elder brother, Constantine II, and his younger brother, Constans, in purging the family of any potential rivals for the throne and on 9 September divided the Roman Empire among themselves. Constantius II, who may have been the chief architect of the purge, became Augustus in the eastern provinces and retained possession of Constantinople while his brothers assumed the roles of Augusti over the western provinces. Much of the reign of Constantius II was consumed by Germanic invasions and a grinding war against the Sasanian Persian Empire, but was interrupted from time to time by dynastic conflicts and occasional usurpations. A dispute between Constantine II and Constans over the extent of their respective territories resulted in the death of the former in AD 340, leaving Constans as sole Augustus in the West. Six years later, Constantius II almost went to war with his brother over religious matters. The murder of the unpopular Constans in AD 350 permitted the usurpations of Magnentius in Italy and Vetranio in Illyricum, but Constantius II was still fighting the Persians and could not deal with them directly. At last he agreed to recognize Vetranio as Caesar in order to use him against Magnentius and Vetranio. At last, Constantius II was freed from the eastern conflict to march West, first deposing Vetranio, and then destroying Magnentius over the course of AD 351–353. Reports of plotting by Constantius Gallus, a cousin of the Emperor who had been appointed Caesar on the eastern frontier, and his subsequent execution in AD 354, combined with a new revolt in Gaul convinced Constantius II that he needed assistance. Therefore, on 6 November AD 355, he elevated Gallus' half-brother, Julian, as Caesar, and placed him in command of Gaul and the Rhine frontier. Constantius II for his part spent the next few years campaigning against the Sarmatians and the Germanic Quadi along the Danube. When the Persian war heated up again in AD 360, Constantius II asked Julian to send him reinforcements from Gaul. In response, the Gallic legions revolted and proclaimed Julian as Augustus. Constantius II tried to reason with his cousin, but to no avail, and in AD 361 withdrew from the fighting in Mesopotamia to make war on Julian. However, he had only reached Mopsuestia when he developed a fever and was forced to take to his bed. He died on 3 November AD 361 after reportedly naming Julian as his rightful successor. This unique silver medallion, probably valued at four nummi argentei or three light miliarenses, was struck as part of a larger silver emission involving miliarenses and mutiples around AD 343. The reverse legend indicates that the coins were struck to celebrate the triumphs of Constantius II over the "barbarian peoples" (genti barbarum). This seems to refer to his earlier victories over various external threats to the Roman Empire: in AD 332, he defeated the Visigoths and assumed the title Germanicus Maximus; in AD 338, he defeated the Sarmatians and took the name Sarmaticus Maximus; and in AD 343 he claimed the title Adiabenicus Maximus in connection with advances made in the ongoing war against the Sasanian Persians. The reverse type, which is also featured on the smaller silver issues, is commonly described as a standing representation of Constantius II carrying a vexillum and holding a grounded shield. Problematic for this interpretation of the type is the fact that the male figure seems to be bare headed while portraits of Constantius II as reigning Emperor habitually show him wearing the imperial diadem. It may be that this bare-headed figure should be better understood as the personification of Virtus (Roman manliness and bravery) rather than as the Emperor himself. This very same figure also occurs on gold solidi of Constantius II with the reverse legend VIRTVS EXERCITVS solid struck in the period AD 337-340. The obverse type builds on the iconography of the warrior-emperor that developed on Roman coinage over the course of the third and early fourth centuries. This iconography was frequently used in the context of eastern campaigns in order to liken the Emperor to Alexander the Great-the most famous conqueror of the ancient Mediterranean world. Here, in an attractive Late Antique artistic style, Constantius II is shown wearing a full breastplate with what appear to be additional sleeves of scale armor ending in wrist braces. He seems to be marching to war full of purpose with his spear in his right hand and his shield half slung over his shoulder as if warning of the woe to come to the enemies of the Empire once he reaches the front line.