The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, the Lapworth Museum of Geology and the University of Birmingham Collections - Objects
ID number: BIRBI-R3434 Institution: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts Named collection: P.D. Whitting Collection Artist / Maker: Constans I (337-350) Title / Object name / Definition: Solidus Object type: Coin
Place made: Mint of Thessalonica Culture: Roman Date made: 337-340 Collector: P.D. Whitting Materials: Gold Measurements: 4.58 g |

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Description: Obverse: Bust of Constans I facing right, wearing cuirass with a cloak and a diadem. Victory holding a spear topped with a trophy and a palm branch. Constans was the son of Constantine I and on his father’s death received the central portion of the empire (Italy, Illyricum, Dalmatia and Greece). Constans, shown as leader of the Roman army, and Victory, with her trophies from conquered enemies, give this coin a strong military theme. This coin is from a period in Roman history when the emperor spent most of his time with his troops. Constans himself campaigned along the Danube frontier. The army in many ways directed the way in which the empire was ruled. Although Constans spent much of his time with his troops and was engaged in many successful campaigns, his troops took advantage of his absence from the army to revolt and raise another to the throne in a rebellion that would eventually leave Constans dead. The multiple G’s at the end of the reverse inscription correspond to the number of emperors at that time.
Inscriptions / Translations: Obverse: FLIVLCON STANSPFAVG (Flavius Julius Constans Dutiful, Happy, Augustus) Reverse: VICTORIA DDNNAVGG (Victory of Our Lords the Augusti) TES (Mint mark of Thessalonica)
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