Follis Constantine II, Rome 337–339 A.D.
References: Vaux, W. S. W. “On a discovery of Roman coins, in the Parish of Little Malvern, Worcestershire”, The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Numismatic Society, vol. 11, 1848, pp. 19–39; Cohen, H., Description historique des monnaies frappées sous l̕Empire romain communément appellées, médailles imperials, Vol. 7, Paris: Rollin & Feuardent, 1892; Hill, P. V., Kent, J. P. C., Carson, R. A. G., Late Roman Bronze Coinage Part I & II. London, 1960; Bruck, G., Die spätrömische Kupferprägung, Graz, 1961; Chantraine, H., Die Fundmünzen der römischen Zeit in Deutschland (FMRD), Abteilung IV Rheinland-Pfalz; Band 2 Pfalz. Berlin, 1965; Sutherland, C. H. V., Carson, R. A. G., The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 8: The Family of Constantine I (337–364), Spink and Son Ltd, London, 1981; Robertson, A. S., Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow: V, Diocletian (Reform) to Zeno, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982; Baldi, E., “Le monete di San Piero in Cotto”, in E. Cirelli (ed.), Gli scavi di San Pietro in Cotto, 2014, pp. 112-122, n. 10.
Coin with medium-low conservation; beading not visible. On the obverse of this coin, bust of possibly Constantine II (r. 337-340 A.D.) or Constantine the Great (r. 306-337): laurel and rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust facing right. On the left side of the legend, the inscription VIC CONST, possibly VIC CONSTANTINVS AVG. Obverse translation: “Victor Constantinus Augustus”. On the reverse with legend reading VIRTVS AVGVSTI, flatly struck; reverse translation: “the Virtue of the emperor”. Valour, emperor(?), standing left holding reverse spear, leaning on shield, possibly head facing right. Exergue not visible. Constantine II was emperor for three years, but his coins as augustus are quite scarce.
Date: 337–339 AD.
Parallels: Cambridge, Harvard Art Museums 1976.79.687; Bad Dürkheim, Stadtmuseum im Kulturzentrum Haus Catoir772617.
Photo by Steve Morton