Another one from Constantine and Sons

To be a member of the family Constantine was dangerous. Constantine killed his first son from another marriage, he killed his wife and his mother in law. With Faustina, his second wife whom he killed, he had 3 sons: Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans. Constantine II was killed while fighting Constans, Constans was killed in battle against the usurper Magnentius, Constantius II elevated his cousin Gallus to Caesar of the East to assist him. Constantius II defeated Magnentius who killed himself. Constantius II then put his cousin Gallus to death and elevated his cousin Julian who was proclaimed emperor by his troops. Constantius II died of a fever before he could take to the field against Julian. Less than 2 years later Julian dies in retreat from a victorious Sassanid army. He is hit by a spear, possibly from a Saracen in auxiliaries in Persian service.

Thats why I love Roman History...

Oh, here is a nice coin I picked up recently of Constantine II as Caesar for a decent price, it is not an uncommon coin but the portrait is in great shape which is what I look for most in ancient roman coins.



Constantine II. 306-337 AD

Obverse: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; laureate and cuirassed bust right Reverse: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS; two soldiers flanking two standards; SMANE in ex. Size/Weight: 18mm, 3.0g Attribution: RIC VII Antioch 87

 

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Nice coin .... great strike.
1700 +- years old ... remarkable

 

Great coin and very interesting reading! I love knowing some of the history behind the coins.

Andy

 

Whats something like that worth?

 

To be a member of the family Constantine was dangerous. Constantine killed his first son from another marriage, he killed his wife and his mother in law. With Faustina, his second wife whom he killed...

Cheaper than a divorce, and no child support. But it still seems a little overdone to me. Maybe I just wasn't cut from Centurion cloth. Mike

 

I would say its no more over done than most modern coinage (and by that I mean any coin not strictly ancient)...it has a portrait and inscription on the front, a simple picture on the reverse (much less complicated than say...coins from german states), an inscription and a mint mark.

Prices for ancients are on a steady rise and I am slowly being out priced for many of the coins I like in this area...I have never been a huge fan of these small late imperials but as they are more affordable I have been keeping my eyes out for ones that are in better than average condition and have eye appeal. I have even grown to like them a lot more as some have interesting themes and sometimes a pleasing portrait.

It seems to me, like many other things Roman, these type of coins set the template for coins in the future...already any American coin with liberty on it borrows from Roman coins (as well as other themes) but as the empire expanded and population rose a more sophisticated system of mints in more cities had to be developed (as well as the coinage being devalued)...I liken these coins to an American penny....they were devalued coinage minted in huge numbers...cheap...low value...with a system of tracking where the coin was minted...all that is missing is a strict year of minting and one can often narrow that down by other means.

This coin was cheaper than many modern coins...from an auction at forum it was a bit over 20 dollars, which at one time would have been a lot for this coin. Some may feel it still is a lot.

 

...and we think politics is a dirty game in modern times.

That is a great portrait, great coin.

 

I present to you - your coins cousin! Same mint, same years, even same RIC #, differing only in that mine was made at the 2nd officina, yours the 5th (I believe).



Constantine II AE3, Antioch, S officina, 330-335 AD, RIC 87

"A bit over $20..." seems to be the going rate for these pieces now. Which is a shame, because I wouldn't pay more than $5 for ones from the Eastern mints, $10-15 for one from a Western mint. (I'm biased.) Thankfully, these can still easily be had for lower than $20, thankfully - look in big ancient dealers junkboxes at shows. (They tend to lower the price per coin if you buy more, so its a win-win.) Because I bought a bunch, this one only cost me $3.

 

Nice Yeah, like I said before, I am sure I over paid for the coin but as prices go, you gets what you can find. I felt it was okay to go ahead a buy it for that price as the portrait is in such fine condition and it was a type I didnt have.

I know what you mean about finding these at shows in junkboxes but these days even these coins in much worse condition are getting expensive. You know when a coin catches your fancy, sometimes you go ahead and bite the bullet.

 

Ugly

 

Sorry, you must be looking for the thread on Presidential Dollars. Wrong section.

 

LOL:thumb:

Andy

 

myself, i've always had a soft spot for crispus, caesar under constantine (and son of constantine) -- until his execution for the alleged rape of constantine's wife. my, but our mud-slingingest of politicians has nothing on these guys!

excellent thread, btw.

v.

 

ah yes...Flavius Julius Crispus. Such a promising young lad. One would think he must have done something rather dire to warrant a death penalty. The two were both killed (son and second wife) and it is said they might have conspired.

here is my best example of a Crispus:

 

Nice thread crap

 

Nah, I don't think you overpaid (or not much). It's a nice coin. As you say they're getting more expensive. Primo examples of many common late Roman bronzes that used to sell for $20-$50 are now more in the $50-$100 range. There are still some bargains out there for more worn stuff, but even worn stuff if it has decent eye appeal has increased too.


Here are a couple examples of the same type coin, but from different mints (sorry I know the pics aren't the best)...



Attribution: RIC 189 (RIC VII)

Mint: Nicomedia, SNMΓ

Obverse: CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C, Constantine II laureate, cuirasses bust right
Reverse: GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers with spears to either side of two standards, SNMΓ in exergue.

Size: 18mm
Weight: 2.59 grams





Attribution: RIC 254 (RIC VII)

Mint: Lugdunum (Lyons), PLC
Date: 332 AD

Obverse: CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C, Constantine II laureate, cuirasses bust right
Reverse: GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers with spears to either side of two standards, PLC in exergue.

Size: 16mm
Weight: 2.87 grams



and one of his brother Constantius II...



Attribution: RIC 237 (RIC VII)

Mint: Siscia, .ASIS.
Date: 324-337 AD

Obverse: FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, Bust of Constantius II right
Reverse: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, Two soldier standing and facing each other, each with a spear and shield, two standards between, .ASIS. in exergue

Weight: 2.43 grams

 

Very cool!! Those are all very nice examples of the type, great portraits and reverses are in great shape as well. Its interesting to see all the different types and the variety of styles from mint to mint...or even the changes in style at the same mint.

 

Drusus- Sorry, I didn't mean the COIN was overdone (it is a gorgeous coin!), I meant murdering his wife and children. Seems a bit over the top. Had the old boy stopped with, say, killing one wife and one mother-in-law, well, who could blame him? But murdering multiple wives and kids? He could have been a star on the Jerry Springer show doing that stuff.
Great coins! Mike

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding! Such stories, bloody drama, suicide, fratricide, patricide, matricide, assassinations, etc...probably why I love reading Roman history, few dull moments. When they had a dull moment...it was one of those rare good rulers who had a boring old reign NOT killing everyone around them.

 

Constantine did not kill his mother-in-law, Eutropia. He was, however, involved in the death or suicide of his father-in-law, Maximianus, but Max definitely had it coming after betraying Constantine.