← Constans Last Coin ------------------ Next Coin Magnentius →

Roman Empire

Ruler: Constantius II as Eastern Augustus (minted by Vetranio)
Reigned: Caesar 324-337 AD: Augustus 337-361 AD
Denomination: Heavy Billon Maiorina
Mint: Siscia
Date of Issue: 350 AD
Obverse: Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, "A" behind, star in front. "DN. CONSTAN-TIVS P.F. AVG."
Reverse: Constantius standing left, holding labarum in right hand and spear in left, being crowned by Victory.
"HOC SIGNO VICTORERIS"
Mint marks:
A  
• ΔSIS •
Reference: RIC VIII 286, RCVM 18203
Weight: 4.8 gms
Nominal Weight: 4.6 - 5.1 gms
Diameter: 21.5 mm
Comment: The reverse legend "HOC SIGNO VICTORERIS" ('by this sign you shall conquer') refers to the vision of Constantine the Great before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.

CONSTANTIUS II (Flavius Julius Constantius)

  • Flavius Julius Constantinus was the second son of Constantine I and Fausta.
  • He was raised to the rank of Caesar in 324.
  • Constantine died on 22nd May 337, and his surviving sons, Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans succeeded him, each with the title Augustus (9th September 337).
  • Constantius was given the eastern provinces of the Empire.
  • For most of his reign, he was involved in wars with Shapur II, Sassanid king of Persia.
  • When Constans was murdered by a usurper, Magnetius, in 350, Constantius took his army to the Balkans, where he defeated Magnentius at the Battle of Mursa (Osijek, Croatia) and so in 351 became the sole ruler of the empire.
  • In 361, on hearing that his cousin, Julian, had been declared Emperor by his troops in Paris, he marched his army west but in Cilicia, was struck down by a fever and died at Mopsucrene on 3rd November 361.

Back to main page

R23840