Lot 4616
Constantius II, AD 337-361. Gold Solidus (4.4g) minted at Rome, AD 357, second officina. FL IVL CONST-ANTIVS PF AVG. Diademed bust of Constantius left clad in consular robes, holding mappa and scepter. Reverse: FELICITAS RO-MANORVM. Roma, holding spear, and Constantinopolis, holding scepter, enthroned, the former facing, the latter head left; between them, they hold a wreath inscribed VOT / XXXV / MVLT / XXXX; RSMB (palm) in exergue. RIC 297 (R4); Cohen 72. Faint hairlines from an old cleaning. Extremely Rare, particularly this officina which is unrecorded in a collection location in RIC. Boldly struck and exceptional with all details sharp and crisp. Extremely Fine.
Of Constantine's progeny, Constantius II survived the longest. He would know little peace, though, for his long reign was a litany of rebellion, religious strife, fratricidal warfare and invasions from the East, West and North. In the realm of religion, Constantius, a supporter of Arianism, was at loggerheads with his brother Constans, a devout Orthodox Catholic. In the temporal plain, operating largely from his base in Antioch, Constantius was in the field more often than not, whether battling the Sassanians, the Alemani, Magnentius, or Silvanus.
In April or May AD 357, he paid a rare visit to Rome to celebrate his 35th anniversary in power (even though he became Caesar in AD 324). The fourth century Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus records in great detail the pomp and pageantry of Constantius' triumphal entry into the Eternal City. It is clear from the depiction of Constantius and the legends that the solidus here was minted in honor of the emperor's anniversary. Many scholars believe that Constantius' visit to Rome also signaled reconciliation between the Christian emperor and the pagan aristocracy of Rome. The reverse types with Constantinopolis looking benignly over to Roma, and even the palm in the mint signature could be construed to be symbolic of that. It is more likely, though, that the reverse theme is a reflection of the unity and tranquility throughout the vast empire for which Constantius most certainly wished.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000.
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| Realized $17,825 |
