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Message:: [QUOTE="dougsmit, post: 3013259, member: 19463"]The unusual legend is because it is in the genitive case rather than the usual nominative.  The coin was issued for the very young Constans reading 'Of Constans' which is unique in the Roman series.  I always say that this is a coin every Latin teacher should own because there are rather few names that formed their cases in the Third Declension as here.  Third declension is characterized by the nominative form being irregular compared to the other cases.  In this case it drops the T from the root leaving Constans.  I bid on the coin at JA's minimum bid to make sure it sold and was happy to see someone outbid me.  I was hoping that meant someone had read about the matter in one of the many posts on the matter that have been on Coin Talk or even my pages rather than just someone wanting just any Constans coin.  Can't win them all. The coin comes in two versions: earlier, heavier two standards type and later, lighter one standard variety like your new coin.  Below are both.[ATTACH=full]747602[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]747603[/ATTACH] Had I won it, I would have given it to a Latin teacher.  As it is, I hope it will drive you to learn Latin.   Trivia:  Which mainstream, adult and very famous emperor sometimes issued coins using the dative case 'dedicated to ______'?  His name was second declension so he used _____o in place of the nominative ____us.[/QUOTE]