![ROMAN. Constantius II, Solidus, 'VICTORIAE DD NN AVGG' [ARI-67] - Image 2](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/67-3-1.jpg)
Description
Flāvius Iūlius Cōnstantius (Constantius II), Roman Emperor of the Constantinian Dynasty 337-361 AD, Gold Solidus (4.46g, 22mm), Siscia mint 346-348 AD. Obverse: Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius II facing to the right, legend surrounds, “FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PF AVG”. Reverse: Two Victoria stand vis-à-vis, holding a laurel wreath shield aloft bearing the inscription “VOT XX MVL XXX”, mintmark “SIS”, which is preceded by “O” surmounted with dot and followed by single dot, in exergue, legend surrounds, “VICTORIAE DD NN AVGG”. RIC-109; Depeyrot-8/1. Captivating in its appearance, this attractive gold solidus of Flavius Julius Constantius aptly captures the elegance and beauty of Constantinian numismatics – the archetypical diademed portraits of the late Roman Empire is showcased here in its standard powerful and inspiring fashion, whilst also showcasing the new naming of ‘Pius Felix’ used during the Dominus Period. The reverse displays a busy yet beautifully clear message – Victoria stands doubled, the Victory of the Emperor, holding up his Votis and Multis, good Extremely Fine, and scarce.
The obverse Latin legend reads unabridged as “Flāvius Iūlius Cōnstantius, pius fēlīx Augustus”, with an English translation of “Flavius Julius Constantius, the pius and blessed Augustus”. The reverse Latin legend reads unabridged as “victōria dominōrum nostrōrum Augustōrum”, with an English translation of “Victory of our Lords Augusti”. Within the laurel shield bears the Latin inscription which reads unabridged as “vōtīs vīcēnnalibus, multīs trīcennālibus”, with an English translation of “Vows/Prayers for the Twentieth Reign Anniversary and More for the Upcoming Thirtieth Anniversary”. The vōtīs and multīs types became popular during the ‘Dominate’ period and were widely used by members of the Constantinian Dynasty – the term ‘Dominate’ is inspired by the use of ‘Dominus Noster’ (‘Our Lord’) as part of the emperor’s official titulature rather than ‘imperātor’.
