Constans
As Caesar 317-337 AD
As Augustus 337-340 AD
Youngest son of Constantine the Great
Flavius Julius Constans was the youngest of the three sons of Constantine I and Fausta, and was born in A.D. 320 (or 323). Given the rank of Caesar in 333, he received Italy, Africa and Illyricum as his share of the imperial inheritance following his father’s death in 337. His victory over his eldest brother Constantine II in 340 gave him control over the entire Western half of the Empire. After reigning for a decade as the colleague of his brother Constantius II, Emperor in the East, he was unexpectedly overthrown in the revolt of Magnentius in January, 350. This handsome medallion, from the old imperial capital of Rome, depicts the brave young Emperor triumphing over his adversaries, one of whom, unfortunately, was to be his own brother.
Monetary System
Mints: Alexandria, Antioch, Arelate, Aquileia, Constantinople, Cyzicus, Heraclea, London, Lugdunum, Nicomedia, Rome, Siscia, Thessalonica, Treveri
Obverse Legends:
As Caesar
FL IVL CONSTANS NOB C
FL CONSTANS NOB CAES
FL IVL CONSTANS NOB CAES
As Augustus
CONSTANS AVGVSTVS
CONSTANS P F AVG
CONSTANS AVG
D N CONSTANS P F AVG
Monetary Reform
In 348 AD, Constans, along with his co-Emperor brother Constantius II, carried out a major reform of the bronze coinage system. The small drastically reduced follis (AE4) denomination was discontinued. A new series of bronze coins were introduced based upon a unit measuring 23mm in diameter known as the centenionalis. A half denomination was also introduced thus providing two bronze denominations. At first, the reform coinage typically bore the reverse inscription “FEL TEMP REPARATIO.”
DENOMINATIONS
As Caesar
AU Solidus (4.50 grams)
AR Miliarense (4.50 grams)
AR Siliqua (3.25 grams)
AE3/4
As Augustus
AU Solidus (4.50 grams)
AU Semissis (2.25 grams)
AU 1½ Scripulum (1.65 grams)
AR 3 Miliarense (13.50 grams)
AR Miliarense (4.50 grams)
AR Siliqua (3.25 grams)
AE4
Post-Reform Bronze
AE Centenionalis
AE ½ Centenionalis
Medallions
AR 4 Siliquae (13 grams)
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