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CNG Feature Auction 121

Lot nuber 950

Constantius I. As Caesar, AD 293-305. AV Aureus (19mm, 4.99 g, 12h). Treveri (Trier) mint. Struck AD 295. NGC graded Ch MS, 5/5, 4/5.


CNG Feature Auction 121
Lot: 950.
 Estimated: $ 30 000

Roman Imperial, Gold

Sold For $ 23 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

Constantius I. As Caesar, AD 293-305. AV Aureus (19mm, 4.99 g, 12h). Treveri (Trier) mint. Struck AD 295. CONSTAN TIVS NOB C, laureate head right / IOVI CONS ERVATORI, Jupiter enthroned left, holding thunderbolt in outstretched right hand and scepter in left; to left at feet, eagle standing left, head and tail right, with wings displayed, holding wreath in beak; PTR. RIC VI –; cf. 19 (obv. legend, PT in exergue); Calicó 4847b (this coin illustrated); Pink, Goldprägung, p. 318; Depeyrot 2B/4 (this coin referenced). Slight reddish toning over lustrous surfaces. In NGC encapsulation 4936351-002, graded Ch MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. High relief portrait in exemplary style. Extremely rare, one of only two coins inventoried by Depeyrot (the other in a public collection [Vienna]).

Ex Leu 83 (6 May 2002), lot 835; Leu 61 (17 May 1995), lot 302.

Flavius Valerius Constantius was a native of Naissus in modern Serbia. He found escape from his low social standing in the Roman army and rose steadily through the ranks. Along the way, he took a local barmaid named Helena as his common-law wife and she bore him a son, Constantine, probably in AD 273 or 274. By AD 284, Constantius had been made military governor of Dalmatia. He supported Diocletian’s bid for power and was rewarded with a series of important posts in the new regime. In March of AD 293, Diocletian and Maximian appointed him Caesar of the West and charged him with restoring Britain and northern Gaul, then under the separatist rule of the usurper Carausius, to Roman control. Constantius spent three years in careful preparations and launched his invasion in mid-AD 296, achieving complete surprise and total victory. He won the reputation of a just and compassionate ruler during his years as Caesar. With Diocletian’s retirement in AD 305, Constantius became Augustus of the West and technically the senior ruler, but Galerius was clearly dominant. Constantius had to implore Galerius to release his son Constantine, serving in the eastern court, so that the young officer could assist in a projected British campaign. The two were reunited in early 306 and campaigned jointly against the Picts, winning Constantius the title “Britannicus Maximus.” But Constantius fell seriously ill that summer and died on July 25. The army immediately acclaimed Constantine as Emperor, launching the career of one of Rome’s greatest rulers.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 121 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 6-8 October 2022. This lot is in Session Four, which will begin 7 October 2022 at 2 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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