Constantinus

Flavius Claudius Constantinus

Born: A.D. 316 in Arles

Emperor: A.D. 337-340

Obverse: Bust facing right wearing a laureate (wreath on head) and cuirassed (breast plate). Inscription reads CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C (Constantine Junior Nobel Caesar). This is saying the coin is issued by Constantine II and he is designated Caesar. This designation means he is a junior partner to an Augustus which would be the emperor. This coin was minted while Constantine I was still alive and his son was serving as one of three Caesars to their father. He was born in 316 and was made Caesar in 317, he became emperor in 337 so this coin was probably minted after 317 but before 337.

Reverse: Two armed soldiers holding standards and the inscription GLORIA EXERCITVS which refers to the Glory of the Army. These coins were minted in tribute to the most important asset the emperor had, the army. This was always true but even more in the later empire. Below is SMAN (Epsilon) which is the mint mark and designated this coin as being minted by the city of Antioch and produced in the 5th officina or mint workshop.

Constantine II was the eldest son of Constantine I. On March 1, 317 Constantine II was made Caesar. At the age of seven, in 323, he took part in his father's campaign against the Sarmatians.

At the age of ten he became commander of Gaul after the death of his half-brother Crispus. An inscription dating to 330 records the title of Alamannicus, so it is probable that his generals won a victory over Alamanni. His military career continued when Constantine I elected his son field commander during the 332 campaign against the Goths.

Following the death of his father in 337, Constantine II became Emperor jointly with his brothers Constantius II and Constans. His section of the Empire was Gaul, Britannia and Hispania.

At first, he was the guardian of his younger brother Constans, whose portion was Italia, Africa and Illyricum. As Constans came of age, Constantine would not relinquish the guardianship and in 340 he marched against Constans in Italy. He was defeated at Aquileia and died in battle. Constans came to control his deceased brother's realm.

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