Constantine I Last Coin ------------------ Next Coin Helena

Roman Empire

Ruler: Fausta Wife of Constantine I and daughter of Maximianus
Reigned: (reign of Constantine) 307-337 AD
Denomination: Billon Cententionalis
Mint: Trier
Date of Issue: 324-5 AD
Obverse: Draped bare-head, right, wavy hair. "FLAV. MAX. FAVSTA AVG.
Reverse: Salus/Fausta holding two children (Constantine II & Constantius II?) in her arms."SALVS REIPVBLICAE".
Mint marks:
 
STR
Reference: RIC VII 459
Weight: 3.1 gms
Nominal Weight: 3.2 gms
Diameter: 18.2 mm

FAUSTA wife of Constantine I

  • On 25th July 306 Constantius died at Eboracum (York). The army immediately proclaimed Constantine "Augustus" and senior emperor in the west in succession to his father.
  • In 307 Constantine married Fausta, the daughter of Maximian. The timing suggests that this was a dynastic marriage to help justify his imperial claims. Constantine had already been married to Minervina, who had given him a son, Crispus.
  • Fausta gave birth to three sons who would be future emperors: Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans.
  • Crispus, Fausta's stepson, so the story goes, was accused of adultery with Fausta. He was executed in May 326 on Constantine's orders. Constantine's mother, Helena, convinced Constantine that Fausta was the false accuser, and Fausta was persuaded to take a bath in boiling water.
  • Christian sources say that Constantine was wracked with guilt over the deaths of his wife and son and turned to Christianity for solace.

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