Unique Constantius Medallion

Triton XIV, Lot: 846. Estimate $30000. Sold for $100000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Constantius II. AD 337-361. AV Medallion of 1 1/2 Solidi (27mm, 6.80 g, 1h). Vicennalia issue. Siscia mint. Struck AD 343/4. CONSTANTIVS AVGVSTVS, laurel and rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VICTORIAE · DD NN AVGG, Victory seated right on cuirass inscribing VOT/XX/MVLT/XXX in three lines on a shield supported by a small winged Genius; (palm)SIS(palm). Cf. Gnecchi 46 (Treveri mint); RIC VIII -; Depeyrot -. EF, lustrous. Unique.

From the Collection of a Northern California Gentleman.

Of all of the ambitious sons of Constantine I, Constantius II was the most ambitious. Appointed Caesar shortly after the defeat at Chrysopolis in AD 324, he spent the remaining years of his father’s reign campaigning with his brother Constantine II in Gaul. Returning to Constantinople shortly before his father’s tricennalia, he was present at his father’s death and may have orchestrated the purge of the relatives of Theodora shortly thereafter. As emperor, Constantius II was engaged in a renewed war against Persia during the vicennalia celebrations. During this same period, his brother, Constans, had successfully campaigned both in Britain and in the upper Danube, so that, as the senior emperor of the two, Constantius II enjoyed the good fortune of victory on all fronts heralding the commemoration of this long reign.