Roman Gold Solidus of Emperor Constantius II

Code: 10642

This is an ancient Roman gold Solidus of emperor Constantius II,  dating to 337 - 361 A.D.

FL IVL CONSTAN-TIVS PERP AVG, Pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and round shield

GLORIA REI-PVBLICAE, Roma, head facing, and Constantinopolis, head left, seated on thrones facing each other, holding between them a wreath inscribed VOT-XXX-MVLT XXXX in four lines

This coin was struck at Antioch between 347-361 A.D. mint mark SMANT. It has seen considerable circulation, been clipped and bears runes or runic graffiti beside the head. This is a very interesting coin, used at some stage to pay barbarian or Hunnic Ransomes/booty. The coin was discovered in Germany. This piece is more than just a solidus, a nice coin to own and full of history!

DENOMINATION: Solidus

MATERIAL: Gold

DATE: 347 - 361 A.D.

MINTMARK: SMANT (Antioch, Turkey)

SIZE: 19mm dia

WEIGHT: 3.5 grams

ATTRIBUTION:  RIC VIII 88 / 162 (identical); Depeyrot 7/3 and 9/1 (identical).