![Constantius II, Miliarense, Thessalonica, 'VIRTVS EXERCITVS' [ARI-350] - Image 2](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ARI-350.jpg)
Description
Flavius Julius Constantius (Constantius II), Roman Emperor of the Constantinian Dynasty 337-361 AD, Silver Light Miliarense (4.28g, 21mm), Thessalonica mint 350-355 AD. Obverse: Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius II facing to the right, legend surrounds, “DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG”. Reverse: Roman soldier stands to the right, helmeted and armoured and holding inverted spear in right hand and resting left on grounded shield, mintmark “TES” in exergue, legend surrounds, “VIRTVS EXERCITVS”. RIC VIII Thessalonica-160 or 230; Sear-17884. Supremely toned with a polychromatic display of grey and olive highlights, an impressive offering of a denomination far less often available compared to its siliqua counterpart, struck with slightly worn dies and with a light flaw over reverse soldier, still exceptional when held in hand, details Extremely Fine and scarce.
The obverse Latin legend reads unabridged as “Dominus noster, Cōnstantius pius fēlīx Augustus”, with an English translation of “our Lord, Constantius, the blessed and pious Augustus”. The reverse Latin legend reads “virtūs exercitus”, with an English translation of “courage/valor of the Army”. The reverse exergue states the mint, shortened to “TES”, reading unabridged as “Thessalonīca”, the Greek city of “Thessaloniki”.
