Constans II, the more than adequately bearded... Constans II (641-668), AE Follis / 40 Nummi, Syracuse, 652-3, AE 23-27mm. 6g. Constans standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger in right hand; I/H/Δ to l., I/A to right / Large M; cross above; SCL. MIB 208; DOC 179; S. 1108. Share your Constans II coins!
Great example. Wow, last time I posted this was in 2016. Constans II (641 - 668 A.D.) Æ Follis O:ENTOTO NIKA Contans, long beard (noted on r side of face), standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys, holding long cross In left hand, globus cruciger in right. R: Large M between ANO and NEOG or similar, star above. In exergue, a officina followed by numerals representing the regnal year, off-flan. 21mm 5.4g Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 641 - 645 A.D.
I am till working on the emperors after Constantine. My enthusiasm is not quite as great. Bronze quarter maiorina of Constans, Obverse: D N CONSTANS P F AVG “Dominus Noster Constantius Pius Felix Augustus” Our Lord Constans Pious Fortunate August. Reverse: FELICITAS TEMPORUM REPARATIO ASIS, “Back to happy days.” Phoenix standing on a rocky mound, with the mint mark for the Siscia Mint. Sear 18717 This coin was the smallest of a reform bronze coinage that was introduced in conjunction with the eleven hundredth anniversary of Rome. They were issued during from 348 to 350 AD. The largest denomination was the maiorina which contained about 2.5% silver and weighed about 5.2 grams. Next was the “light” maiorina which had a little over 1% silver and weighed 4.25 to 4.50 grams. This coin, the quarter maiorina (?) contained virtually no silver and weighted 2.40 to 2.60 grams. Half Cententionalis of Constans, Obverse: D N CONSTANS P F AVG “Our lord Constans dutiful and patriotic augustus” Reverse: TRMP REPARATIO mint mark SIS at bottom “Happy renewal of times.” (11 hundreth anniversary) The emperor Constans standing on a galley, holding a phoenix on a globe and a labarum (banner) with Chi-Rho on the banner. Victory is guiding the ship. RIC VIII 244 · Flavius Julius Constans was the youngest of four sons of Constantine the Great. · The death of his father and the murder of his cousins Delmatius and Hanniballianus left him in control of the Balkans, Italy, and North Africa. · His older brother, Constantine II, was unhappy with the territories he inherited, which were the more peripheral western provinces of Britain, Spain and Gaul. He attacked Constans positions but was ambushed and killed near Aquileia. Constans acquired all of his older brother’s territories. · Constans was a devout and radical Christian. He was intolerant of Jews, pagans and anyone who did not follow his beliefs. This alienated him from the army and other important groups. · He was a hypocrite, however, because he committed homosexual acts which prompted Christian writers at the time to criticize his behavior. · He reign was noted for corruption, meanness and dishonesty. Sill he did command military successes against the Sarmatians and the Franks. He was also the last Roman emperor to visit Britain. He celebrated the 300 anniversary of the Claudian invasion. He probably visited Hadrian’s Wall. · Constans rule came to an abrupt end in 350. Constans was celebrating a birthday party for his son by Marcellinus at Augustodunum, a town in modern France. · During the proceedings, Magnentius, who was the commander of the palatine units of Ioviani and the Herculiani approached the group dressed in imperial attire. Constans, who was extremely unpopular was immediately deposed, and Magnentius was declared emperor. · Constans panicked and fled toward the Pyrenees. He was captured and killed. · The death of Constans left Constantius II as the only surviving son of Constantine the Great. Technically he was the ruler of the empire, but it would requite a bitter and costly three year civil war to make that a reality. It would drain the empire of many men and resources and would mark the beginning of its decline.
Minted at Syracuse during the reign of Constans II between September 641 - 15 July 668. Obv. No Legend. Constans (on l.), with long beard, and Constantine IV (on r.), beardless, stg. facing, each wearing crown; Constans wears military attire, and holds long cross; his son wears chlamys and holds gl.cr. Rev. Large M; above, Monogram 35; in ex., SCL; to l., Heraclius, beardless, stg. facing, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding gl. cr.; to r., similar figure of Tiberius. BCVS #1110
