Lot 148
Rome. Constantius II, 337-361. Gold Solidus (4.44 g), Antioch mint, struck 355-361 AD. Diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Constantius II facing, holding spear with his right hand and with shield, ornamented with a charging horseman, at his left shoulder. Reverse: Roma, seated facing on left, and Constantinopolis on right, both supporting round shield inscribed VOT / XXX / MVLT / XXXX; GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, SMANI below. RIC 165; C. 112; Depeyrot 11/1; Fr-866. Crisply detailed, finely centered and highly lustrous. An elegant coin, with the obverse portrait among the most delicate and stylish of this series. Rare this nice. NGC graded Choice Uncirculated.
Antioch was the chief city of Asia from Greek times through the Roman Empire. Note the final "I," which appears in the reverse exergue of this beautiful solidus. Greek letters often were used as numerals, and since Antioch is an eastern city, this solidus was struck at the tenth officina. Western mints usually employed Latin letters, again at the close of the mint signature, to further identify that particular section of the mint which produced the coin.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,400.
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| Realized $7,763 |
