Description
Constantius II, as Augustus from 337-361 AD, Gold Solidus (4.46g, 22mm), struck at Siscia 346-348 AD. Obverse: Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed Bust of Flavius Julius Constantius facing to right, legend around, “FL IVL CONSTANTIVS P F AVG”. Reverse: Two winged Victoria stand facing one another, holding a laurel wreath shield between them bearing the inscription “VOT XX MVL XXX”, outer legend surrounds, “VICTORIAE DD NN AVGG”, mintmark “SIS”, which is preceded by “O” surmounted with dot and followed by single dot, in exergue. 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 “Flavius Julius Constantius, Pius Felix, Augustus”, with an English translation of “Flavius Julius Constantius, the Pius and Blessed, Augustus (Emperor)”. The Reverse Latin legend reads “Victoriae Domini Nostrorum Augostorum”, with an English translation of “Victories to our Lords the Augusti”. Within the laurel shield bears the Latin inscription which reads “Votis Vicennalibus Multis Tricennalibus”, translating to “Vows/Prayers for the Twentieth Reign Anniversary and More for the Upcoming Thirtieth Anniversary”. The Votis and Multis types became popular during the Dominus Period, or ‘Dominate’, and were widely used during the Constantinian Dynasty; the term ‘Dominate’ is inspired by the use of Dominus Noster (“D N”) as part of the emperor’s official titulature first under Diocletian, a stark difference to his predecessors of the ‘Principate’. Of note, the term Dominus, ‘Lord’, was first used on the coinage of Aurelian as “deus et dominus natus”, or “God and born ruler” – a powerful title akin to his famous ‘Restitutor Orbis’ series – the ‘Restorer of the World’.