Valentinian standing

Plain Cross

Antioch

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Radiate bust / Galley

QC in ext.

Colchester

RCV13865; 20mm, 2.93g

Comes with previous printed dealers printed label

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Laureate bust right / 4 Tetrarchs by camp

Rome

RCV13959; 19mm, 3.16g

Comes with previous printed dealers printed label

Constantius was also of humble stock but had a successful military career eventually being appointed governor of Dalmatia under Diocletian. In AD 293 he was chosen to become a member of the Tetrachy and was appointed Caesar by Maximian, who was the Augustus in the west. This gave him responsibility for disposing of the usurper Carausius and later his successor Allectus. Biding his time he eventually invaded Britain in AD 296 defeating Allectus and bringing Britain back under Roman control. His reputation enhanced he went on to achieve a victory over the Alamanni in AD 302.
Unlike Diocletian Constantius showed moderation in religious affairs and he refused to implement edicts against the Christians. When Diocletian abdicated in AD 305 Constantius was appointed Augustus. In poor health he died in AD 306 whilst campaigning in Britain. Constantius was the father of Constantine the Great.

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Conjoined heads / Venus standing holding scales

RCV440; 18mm, 2.93g

Comes with previous handwritten label

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Helmeted and cuirassed bust three quarter facing and holding spear and shield/ Victory holding long jewelled cross

Constantinople

RCV21514; 22mm, 4.45g

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Laureate bust right/Maximinus togate standing holding globe and baton

Antioch mint

RCV14806, 19mm, 5.28g

A most appealing portrait of fine, eastern style on the obverse coupled with attractive full portrait of the emperor standing on the reverse, a premium coin showing little sigh of wear.

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Maximinus II was born in Illyricum to humble parents. He was the son of a sister of Galerius and because of his family connections he rose rapidly through the ranks of the Roman army. When Galerius became emperor for the east Maximinus was able to secure the elevation of his nephew Maximinus to Caesar.
When the two western emperors, Constantius and Severus died in quick succession There appeared to be a good chance of further promotion however Licinius was appointed instead creating a deep rivalry with both Maximinus and Constantine who had both been overlooked. Although Galerius tried to placate them by granting them the empty titles of Filius Augustorum or Son of Emperors when Galerius died in AD 311 Maximinus seized Asia Minor leaving Licinius with only Thrace.
In addition Maximinus ignored Galerius edict to abandon the persecution of the Christians. Instead he initiated an even more vigorous policy of persecution and issued a series of anonymous coins which celebrated paganism. Civil War with Licinius and Constantine, who had become allies, became inevitable. Maxentius , who was allied with Maximinus, was decisively beaten by Constantine at the Battle of Milivian Bridge in AD 312 leaving Maximinus to conclude an uneasy peace. Licinius and Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in AD 313 allowing religious toleration. This resulted in a final showdown with Maximinus who was defeated. Although Maximinus survived and fled he died a few months later.

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Laureate bust right / VOT/XX in wreath

Siscia

RCV16219; 18mm, 3.37g

The reign of Constantine marked one of the great turning points in Roman history. Born around AD 272 the son of Constantius Constantine claimed that he was descended from Claudius Gothicus (AD 268-270) although this is unlikely to be true.
Taking a military career Constantine was appointed a tribune to Diocletian following the elevation of his father to Augustus. Joining his father on a military expedition to Britain upon the sudden death of Constantius in York in AD 306 Constantine was proclaimed by his troops, as Caesar under Severus. Initially his position was he weak however after Severus fell he cemented his position with Maximian was strengthened through the marriage to Fausta who was the daughter of Maximian also sister to Maxentius.
Becoming Augustus, the high handed elevation of Licinius to Augustus by Galerius created a rift. Deciding it was time to eliminate his brother in law, Maxentius, he invaded Italy in AD 312 winning the Battle of Milivian Bridge where Maxentius was killed. It was on the evening before this battle that Constantine had his vision of the cross. Whether this is true Constantine’s religious policy was certainly revolutionized thereafter leading to a rapid demise of the old pagan gods and the rise of Christianity.
Although Constantine remained co emperor with Licinius for a further decade in AD 324 he invaded Thrace on the pretext of repelling Gothic invaders. Licinius moved to confront him but was defeated in 2 battles and forced to abdicate. Constantine then became the sole Augustus for the first time since Diocletian.
In AD 325 Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea where Christianity was formally declared to be the religion of the empire. Around this time Constantine decided to found a new imperial capital in the east where Constantinopolis was formally designated in AD 330. This city later became Constantinople and the capital of the Byzantine empire.
Constantine had four sons as well as two daughters. Crispus was probably the most able and although elevated to Caesar was found to be guilty of treason and was executed in AD 326. His three remaining sons were also elevated to Caesar and all later became Augustus in their own right. Constantine died suddenly and unexpectedly in AD 337.
The coinage of Constantine is complex with radical changes being made early in his reign when the gold aureus as replaced by the lighter gold solidus. Constantine also abandoned the silver argenteus replacing it with the siliqua. The bronze follis was also reduced in size with various fractions also being produced although these are mostly quite rare.

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Cuirassed bust in helmet / 2 Victories with shield in between

London

RCV16296, 17mm, 3.34g

The reign of Constantine marked one of the great turning points in Roman history. Born around AD 272 the son of Constantius Constantine claimed that he was descended from Claudius Gothicus (AD 268-270) although this is unlikely to be true.
Taking a military career Constantine was appointed a tribune to Diocletian following the elevation of his father to Augustus. Joining his father on a military expedition to Britain upon the sudden death of Constantius in York in AD 306 Constantine was proclaimed by his troops, as Caesar under Severus. Initially his position was he weak however after Severus fell he cemented his position with Maximian was strengthened through the marriage to Fausta who was the daughter of Maximian also sister to Maxentius.
Becoming Augustus, the high handed elevation of Licinius to Augustus by Galerius created a rift. Deciding it was time to eliminate his brother in law, Maxentius, he invaded Italy in AD 312 winning the Battle of Milivian Bridge where Maxentius was killed. It was on the evening before this battle that Constantine had his vision of the cross. Whether this is true Constantine’s religious policy was certainly revolutionized thereafter leading to a rapid demise of the old pagan gods and the rise of Christianity.
Although Constantine remained co emperor with Licinius for a further decade in AD 324 he invaded Thrace on the pretext of repelling Gothic invaders. Licinius moved to confront him but was defeated in 2 battles and forced to abdicate. Constantine then became the sole Augustus for the first time since Diocletian.
In AD 325 Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea where Christianity was formally declared to be the religion of the empire. Around this time Constantine decided to found a new imperial capital in the east where Constantinopolis was formally designated in AD 330. This city later became Constantinople and the capital of the Byzantine empire.
Constantine had four sons as well as two daughters. Crispus was probably the most able and although elevated to Caesar was found to be guilty of treason and was executed in AD 326. His three remaining sons were also elevated to Caesar and all later became Augustus in their own right. Constantine died suddenly and unexpectedly in AD 337.
The coinage of Constantine is complex with radical changes being made early in his reign when the gold aureus as replaced by the lighter gold solidus. Constantine also abandoned the silver argenteus replacing it with the siliqua. The bronze follis was also reduced in size with various fractions also being produced although these are mostly quite rare.

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Cuirassed bust in helmet / 2 Victories with shield in between

London

RCV16296, 19mm, 2.61g

The reign of Constantine marked one of the great turning points in Roman history. Born around AD 272 the son of Constantius Constantine claimed that he was descended from Claudius Gothicus (AD 268-270) although this is unlikely to be true.
Taking a military career Constantine was appointed a tribune to Diocletian following the elevation of his father to Augustus. Joining his father on a military expedition to Britain upon the sudden death of Constantius in York in AD 306 Constantine was proclaimed by his troops, as Caesar under Severus. Initially his position was he weak however after Severus fell he cemented his position with Maximian was strengthened through the marriage to Fausta who was the daughter of Maximian also sister to Maxentius.
Becoming Augustus, the high handed elevation of Licinius to Augustus by Galerius created a rift. Deciding it was time to eliminate his brother in law, Maxentius, he invaded Italy in AD 312 winning the Battle of Milivian Bridge where Maxentius was killed. It was on the evening before this battle that Constantine had his vision of the cross. Whether this is true Constantine’s religious policy was certainly revolutionized thereafter leading to a rapid demise of the old pagan gods and the rise of Christianity.
Although Constantine remained co emperor with Licinius for a further decade in AD 324 he invaded Thrace on the pretext of repelling Gothic invaders. Licinius moved to confront him but was defeated in 2 battles and forced to abdicate. Constantine then became the sole Augustus for the first time since Diocletian.
In AD 325 Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea where Christianity was formally declared to be the religion of the empire. Around this time Constantine decided to found a new imperial capital in the east where Constantinopolis was formally designated in AD 330. This city later became Constantinople and the capital of the Byzantine empire.
Constantine had four sons as well as two daughters. Crispus was probably the most able and although elevated to Caesar was found to be guilty of treason and was executed in AD 326. His three remaining sons were also elevated to Caesar and all later became Augustus in their own right. Constantine died suddenly and unexpectedly in AD 337.
The coinage of Constantine is complex with radical changes being made early in his reign when the gold aureus as replaced by the lighter gold solidus. Constantine also abandoned the silver argenteus replacing it with the siliqua. The bronze follis was also reduced in size with various fractions also being produced although these are mostly quite rare.

The post Constantine I AD 307-337 Silvered Bronze Follis London appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Cuirassed bust wearing helmet, spear / 2 Victories holding shield between

London

RCV16296, 18mm, 3.63g

The reign of Constantine marked one of the great turning points in Roman history. Born around AD 272 the son of Constantius Constantine claimed that he was descended from Claudius Gothicus (AD 268-270) although this is unlikely to be true.
Taking a military career Constantine was appointed a tribune to Diocletian following the elevation of his father to Augustus. Joining his father on a military expedition to Britain upon the sudden death of Constantius in York in AD 306 Constantine was proclaimed by his troops, as Caesar under Severus. Initially his position was he weak however after Severus fell he cemented his position with Maximian was strengthened through the marriage to Fausta who was the daughter of Maximian also sister to Maxentius.
Becoming Augustus, the high handed elevation of Licinius to Augustus by Galerius created a rift. Deciding it was time to eliminate his brother in law, Maxentius, he invaded Italy in AD 312 winning the Battle of Milivian Bridge where Maxentius was killed. It was on the evening before this battle that Constantine had his vision of the cross. Whether this is true Constantine’s religious policy was certainly revolutionized thereafter leading to a rapid demise of the old pagan gods and the rise of Christianity.
Although Constantine remained co emperor with Licinius for a further decade in AD 324 he invaded Thrace on the pretext of repelling Gothic invaders. Licinius moved to confront him but was defeated in 2 battles and forced to abdicate. Constantine then became the sole Augustus for the first time since Diocletian.
In AD 325 Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea where Christianity was formally declared to be the religion of the empire. Around this time Constantine decided to found a new imperial capital in the east where Constantinopolis was formally designated in AD 330. This city later became Constantinople and the capital of the Byzantine empire.
Constantine had four sons as well as two daughters. Crispus was probably the most able and although elevated to Caesar was found to be guilty of treason and was executed in AD 326. His three remaining sons were also elevated to Caesar and all later became Augustus in their own right. Constantine died suddenly and unexpectedly in AD 337.
The coinage of Constantine is complex with radical changes being made early in his reign when the gold aureus as replaced by the lighter gold solidus. Constantine also abandoned the silver argenteus replacing it with the siliqua. The bronze follis was also reduced in size with various fractions also being produced although these are mostly quite rare.

The post Constantine I AD 307-337 Silvered Bronze Follis London appeared first on Silbury Coins.