After the death of Constantine the Great the Roman Empire was divided between his 3 sons and 1 nephew illustrated below here: However my follis of Constantine II is minted in Siscia in Balkan in which he never ruled over nor conquered: So was it the norm that follis were minted criss-cross of the Roman Empire despite of various rulers? And how about precious metal? Because my siliqua of Constantius II is minted in Arelate. Does that mean that the coin was struck AFTER he became sole emperor as he initially did not have France? Or were precious metal also struck criss-cross? Constantius II, Arelate. 3,00g and 19mm Thank you for any help you can provide.
Usually emperors ruling at the same time issued coins for each other, unless there was overt hostility. Rulers usually minted more coins for themselves at their own mints than for other the rulers, but they did mint for the others. This is easy to see in RIC which is organized by mint. For an article about one short time period (306-310) when there were multiple rulers and coins of Constantine were issued with the unusual title FIL AVG see http://esty.ancients.info/FILAVGG/ which emphasizes who ruled where and minted for whom.
And how about precious metal? silver and gold? did they also mint silver and gold for other? Valentinian, you are expert on late roman coins aren't you? Can you tell me whether my Siliqua was minted before or after Constantius II became sole emperor? Thank you so much by the way.
RIC is the reference work that answers questions of chronology. In this case, it is volume VIII, "The Family of Constantine I." If it is full weight for a siliqua, your type is Arelate 207, struck 18 August 353-6 November 355, or Arelate 253, struck 6 November 355 - Spring 360. If it is light weight, it is a "reduced siliqua" from Arelate 258 or 291, struck 6 November 355 - Spring 360 or Spring 360 - 26 June 363. It is not easy to tell these apart. If you go deeply into late Roman coins, you will want RIC.
Warren beat me to it, but yes, your siliqua was struck after Constantius II had achieved sole reign. Gallus was merely his appointed deputy in the East, and that didn't last long.
Loving that Siliqua! Here is mine from Arles Constantius II, AR Siliqua. 253-260 AD. DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right / VOTIS XXX MVLTIS XXXX within wreath, PCON in ex. RIC 207 (Arles). 2.23g 17mm Arles is one of the few mints that does not portray Constantius II with his normal flowing hair, odd but interesting!
