Constantius II is fun to collect and I recently started a thread on his coins at Numis Forums: https://www.numisforums.com/topic/4312-constantius-ii/ Many different types were posted. You might wonder what types are out there, so I created a website with all the AE types of Constantius II. It has several pages: 1) a list of all the types, in tables (you could copy them as a checklist) http://augustuscoins.com/ed/ConstantiusII/ConstantiusII.html (Note: everything is linked to everything else, so I'd begin with that page) 2) a page with one of each type illustrated http://augustuscoins.com/ed/ConstantiusII/Cs2images.html 3) supplemental pages with additional images for a) FEL TEMP REPARATIO types b) types issued by Vetranio c) other types One of my favorite coins of Constantius II is next: Issued by Vetranio, 350. 23 mm. HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS Emperor standing holding standard with chi-rho, to r. is Victory, crowning him with wreath and holding palm branch This type is desirable because it is the first type with a Christian legend. HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS means "In this sign, you will be victorious" which God told Constantine in his famous vision before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Oct. 28, 312. Check out the type-set pages: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/ConstantiusII/ConstantiusII.html and http://augustuscoins.com/ed/ConstantiusII/Cs2images.html
Great pages on the Constantius II reverse types. My favorites, and the ones I've devoted most energy to acquiring, are the FEL TEMP REPARATIO's -- especially the Fallen Horsemen. (I still need the one-captive and horseman spearing enemy types.) I've got dozens of Fallen Horsemen, and am close to a "mint set," so I'll show a few favorites, though I should re-shoot a few photos or am showing seller photos. (I still need Trier.) One must be dedicated to FEL TEMP's to appreciate why I found this coin desirable: (For those who are wondering, yes, confirmed by die matches, it's a true AMB, not ANB, which can be deceptive.) A common type, but I like this one because it's enormous (27mm and 7.7g) and has a great portrait. In Kent's weight distribution for "Large AE2s" in RIC VIII, there was only 1 (or maybe 2) of this weight or more out of 400 in museum collections. ACSearch data show it's even less common in commerce. (Doug Smith has an enormous 9.5g specimen, but there are only a couple others recorded over 7.7g.) I confess to even having nicknamed it ("The Gran Constantinople"). I'm also partial to the weird looking ones from French mints. Decorated shields from Arles, ex Adrian Lang Collection (notice also the circle on the horses rump -- reminds me of Celtic "hidden faces" -- and that Constantius has eyelashes!): Lugdunum/Lyons (horse has a palm branch for a tail; Constantius is made of crescents): Aquileia, N. Italian mint with a vaguely Gallic style: Here are a couple other Constantius II's ex-collections of notable American numismatists. GLORIA EXERCITVS from the Ken Bressett Collection, previously from what he called the "Lincoln Higgie Hoard (Turkey, 1967)": And another FEL TEMP, with two captives, ex Elvira Clain-Stefanelli Collection (her ticket seems to show it was acq. after Vladimir's death):
here's my FEL TEMP issued by Magnentius Constantius II A.D. 350 22mm 4.5gm DN CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG; laurel and rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding globe, N behind bust. FEL TEMP REPARATIO; Emperor holding standard with Chi-Rho on banner and resting hand on shield; in front of him two bound captives; left field N. In ex. R S RIC VIII Rome 188
Great page! There are a few listed that I still need to check off, and like @Curtis I’m still on the hunt for one of those illusive Trier FH coins. Below are a few of mine… a couple Amiens FH that I wish I could combine the best features of into one coin, a one captive FTR, and a Magnetius issued FTR like Victor’s.
I'm a "One Per" type of collector. The only Constantius II that I have is one of the Campgates (probably whatever one is most common )
Nothing wrong with common! In fact, I think it's usually better to go for the common types (except where specializing or there are aesthetic reasons to go for the scarcer). That's something I love about late Roman bronze coins. The commonest AE3 or AE4 -- ones that others might scoff at -- can be very interesting and attractive once you learn to appreciate them. More relatively common Constantius II's that I nonetheless much enjoy: CONCORDIA MILITVM "Large AE2" GLORIA ROMANORVM (nice complement to the Fallen Horseman; this time he wins). Not exactly common, but not "rare" either, especially not in this condition. But I collect "Barbarians, Captives, and Enemies," which is a very broad theme, so I sometimes sacrifice condition for inclusiveness: VOTIS XXX MVLTIS XXXX. (A lot of Xs!!) Possibly my only silver Constantius II, an AR Siliqua from Lugdunum for the Tricennalia (though I'm not really sure I understand how that timing fits, since Constantius II was still a child in the early 320s...or why CNG has called it a "Quadricennalia (?) issue" - 40 years since Edit of Milan?): Sorry, I'm cheating on this next one (Constans): Just realized none of my "barbarian & hut" types (at least none I can find photographed) are in the name of Constantius II. They must be much less common, but do exist. (I've seen these ones cataloged as Constans jointly w/ Constantius II but forget the exact justification, or whether it only applies to certain mints?)
There is a book, Bruck, with numbers in a major collection. I cite it and extract the numbers for the various FTR types at the top of this page: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/ConstantiusII/Cs2FTR.html "Hut" is more than three times as common for Constans as for Constantius iI. By the way, Bruck breaks down the frequencies by mint (I didn't).
Aha, I see it now that you mention it! Glad you did, as I'd completely forgotten the counts were in there, if I ever did know. (Based on the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where he was a curator.) I've got the English translation, Late Roman Bronze Coinage: An Attribution Guide for Poorly Preserved Coins. (Would like to have the original though!) Highly recommend.
