Coins of the Roman Emperor Constantine II (317-340)
   All his reverse types of bronze coins.
(Skip down to the images of each type.)
1&2)  Types as Caesar (317-337) Table 1 and Table 2 (VOTA types).
3)  Types as Augustus (337-340) Table 3.
4)  His extremely rare fractional-denomination types from Trier (Table 4). 
(Click the image for more about the coin to the right.)
    (There are similar pages for coins of Constans and Constantius II.)

What's in the tables? The tables below lists a reverse type set for Constantine II in AE.  Images are below. The same basic reverse design and legend from different mints is regarded as one type. My use of the terms type and variety is discussed below. The primary references are RIC VII (for him as Caesar) and RIC VIII (as Augustus), but many types are issued from many mints and with several obverses and would not have a unique RIC ID number, so I have chosen to use Failmezger numbers (given as "Fxyz") because his ID numbers are for reverse types which is what I am lisiting. What this page contributes is the extraction of the reverse types of one emperor--Constantine II. 

Note for collectors: You are welcome to copy these tables to use them as a checklist. 

Supplement:  There are other types that have been recorded for Constantine II which are likely unintentional mules. For example, SARMATIA DEVICTA, a type of Constantine minted when ALEMANNIA DEVICTA was being minted for Constantine II.  I don't regard it as belonging to a type-set for Constantine II. Of course, you may, but you will have a hard time finding one. 
 

Images. Constantine II as Caesar (317-337), his non-VOTA types:

F341. ALAMANNIA DEVICTA, Victory right holding trophy and palm branch, spurning captive (Sirmium only)

ALAMANNIA DEVICTA, Victory right holding trophy and palm branch, spurning captive
F341

This example: 19 mm. 2.91 grams.
RIC Sirmium 50

F271. CLARITAS REIPVB, sol standing

CLARITAS REIPVB, Sol standing
F271

This example: 20 mm. 3.37 grams.
RIC Arles 104 (unlisted officina variety)

 

 

F 337. CONSTAN/TINVS/CAESAR with anepigraphic obverse.

CONSTAN/TINVS/CAESAR
F 337

This example: 18 mm. 2.19 grams.
RIC Antioch 59.

Antioch is by far the most common mint for these anepigraphic types. 
 

 

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F365. GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and two standards.
 
GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and two standards.
F365 

This example: 19 mm (larger than most). 2.51 grams
RIC Siscia 220.

 

 

 

An important and rare variety with an early Christian symbol.
GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and two standards, chi-rho between them.
F365, variety

This example: 17-16 mm. 2.68 grams.
RIC Arles 382




 

Another important variety with an early Christian symbol.
GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and two standards, long cross low between them.
F365, variety

This example: 16 mm. 2.81 grams.
RIC Aquileia 125
 

 

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F373. AE4. GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and one standard

GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and one standard
F373

This example: 17 mm. 1.84 grams.
RIC Arles 382
This one, from Arles, has a chi-rho on the standard.

F279. IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left holding Victory on globe,  X / IIΓ  in field

IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left holding Victory on globe,
 X
IIΓ  in field for "12 1/2", the denominaton.
F279

This example: 20 mm. 2.88 grams.
RIC Alexandria 31
 

F278. IOVI CONSERVATORI CAESS, Jupiter standing left holding globe and scepter.

IOVI CONSERVATORI CAESS, Jupiter standing left holding globe and scepter.
F278

This example:  20-19 mm. 3.04 grams.
RIC Alexandria 26

F280. PAX PERPETVA, Pax leans on column (only at Rome)  [no image]

F281. PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, Emperor standing right with spear and globe

PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, Emperor standing right with spear and globe
F281

This example: 20 mm. 3.41 grams.
RIC Trier 144

 

F282. PROVIDENTIAE  CAESS, campgate (city gate)

PROVIDENTIAE  CAESS, campgate (city gate)
F282

This example: 19 mm. 3.44 grams.
RIC Heraclea 26
 

 

F283. PROVIDENTIAE  CAESS, Jupiter standing left, holding Victory on globe.

PROVIDENTIAE  CAESS, Jupiter standing left, holding Victory on globe
F283

This example: 20 mm. 3.40 grams.
RIC Nicomedia 36
 

F284. SAECVLI FELICITAS, shield inscribed AVG on cippus.  [no photo]

F375. SECVRITAS REIPVB, Securitas leans on column (Only from Rome. A similar type was issued as Augustus, F386) 

F285. SOLI INVICTO COMITI, Sol standing or advancing

[No photo for Constantine II. Here is one of the type for Constantine].
SOLI INVICTO COMITI
F285
 

F287. VICTORIA CAESS, Victory left

VICTORIA CAESS, Victory left
Only from Thessaloncia
F287

This example: 19 mm. 2.51 grams.
RIC Thessalonica 65

F361-2. VIRTVS AVGG, campgate. This issue includes Constantine, Licinius, Crispus, and Constantine II. It is dated to 318-9. 


VIRTVS AVGG, campgate. 
P   R  either side 
F361

This example: 19 mm. 2.76 grams.
RIC Rome 173

F361-2. VIRTVS CAESS, campgate. The above design, but with CAESS for AVGG. [No photo]

 

F288. VIRTVS EXERCIT, X-like design ("camp plan") with Sol standing. (Only from Thessaloncia.)

VIRTVS EXERCIT, X-like design ("camp plan") with Sol standing
F288. Only from Thessaloncia.

This example: 19-18 mm. 2.98 grams.
RIC Thessalonica 71

F291.VIRTVS EXERCITI, trophy with two captives

VIRTVS EXERCITI, trophy with two captives
F291

This example:  20 mm. 3.34 grams.
RIC Trier 253

In the third century radiate crowns (as on the above coin) denoted a different denomination than laureate busts (as on the next coin). This is no longer the case in the fourth century. These are of the same denomination. 

F291, second example.
VIRTVS EXERCITI, trophy with two captives
F291

This example:  19-18 mm. 2.76 grams.
RIC Thessalonica 83
 

 

 

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 Images from Table 2. VOTA types of Constantine II.
   Vows.  First PR, then V, X, XV, and XX.

F300
VOT
  V  in wreath
CAESARVM NOSTRORVM
F300

This example: 19 mm. 3.60 grams.
RIC Siscia163
 

F301. VOT /  V   (no wreath), CAESARVM NOSTRORVM around

VOT
   V   (no wreath)
CAESARVM NOSTRORVM
F301 (unlisted there for Constantine II, but here is an example)

This example: 20 mm. 3.09 grams.
RIC Thessalonica 95 (r5 with only this one variety)
 

F309. VOT V in wreath, DOMINOR NOSTROR CAESS around (a type for Crispus and Constantine II). Here is one for Crispus

[no image for Constantine II. This one is of Crispus]
VOT
  V  in wreath
DOMINORVM NOSTRORVM CAESS around
F309

This example: 20 mm. 2.28 grams.
RIC Ticinum 50.

 

F321. VOT V / MVLT X / CAESS in wreath (only from Thessalonica)

VOT V
MVLT X
CAESS
(Only from Thessalonica)
F321

This example: 19 mm. 3.32 grams.
RIC Thessalonica 45

 

F302. VOT /  IS /  V with CAESARVM NOSTRORVM around

VOT
  IS
  V
CAESARVM NOSTRORVM
F302

This example: 20 mm. 3.06 grams.
RIC Siscia 144

 

Next is a variety with 'VOTIS' divided differently. Some collectors might regard it as a different type.

 VO
 TIS
  V
CAESARVM NOSTRORVM
F302

This example: 20 mm. 2.63 grams.
RIC Arles 222

 

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VOT X

F310. VOT / X  in wreath, DOMINOR NOSTROR CAESS around

VOT
  X  in wreath
DOMINOR NOSTROR CAESS
F310

This example: 18 mm. 2.93 grams.
RIC Ticinum 165 (variety. This is officina S and it listed only for officina T.)

 

F319. VOT / X  on standard, with two captives below. VIRTVS EXERCIT

VOT
  X  on standard, with two captives below
VIRTVS EXERCIT
F319

This example: 19 mm. 3.00 grams.
RIC Siscia 133

Note: This type has "VOT X" and there is a very similar type with "VOT XX" (F320, below)
 

F322. VOT X ET XV F in wreath (only from Rome), RIC Rome 206, r5 from each of 3 officina) 
[No photo]

 

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XV

F315. X / V  on shield held by Roma seated right. ROMAE AETERNAE.

X
V  on shield held by Roma seated right
ROMAE AETERNAE
F315

This example: 19 mm. 2.81 grams.
RIC Rome 156

 

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VOT XX

F299. VO /TIS / XX on altar sumounted by globe, \BEATA TRANQVILLITAS around

VO
TIS
XX on altar sumounted by globe
BEATA TRANQVILLITAS around
F299
Note:  This reverse comes with numerous different obverse types.

This example: 19 mm. 3.05 grams.
RIC Trier 353

 

F305. VOT / XX  in wreath, DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG around

VOT
 XX  in wreath
DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG
F305, unlisted for Constantine II.
Normally only for Constantine, but numerous examples of these hybrids have been noted from Arles.

This example: 22-20 mm. 3.03 grams.
RIC Arles 255/252-3.

 

F320. VOT / XX  on standard, two captives below, VIRTVS EXERCIT

VOT
 XX  on standard, two captives below
VIRTVS EXERCIT
The symbol to the left of the standard sometimes has been interprted as a Christian chi-rho, but the upper loop of the rho is never open as it is on all other chi-rhos. 
F320
This example: 19-18 mm. 2.05 grams.
RIC Ticinum 121
Note: This type has "VOT XX" and there is a very similar type with "VOT X" (F319 above).

 

 

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 Images from Table 3.
  Constantine II as Augustus (337-340)

F381. GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and one standard

GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and one standard
F381

This example: 17 mm. 1.87 grams,
RIC VIII Siscia 85
CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG, an obverse legend previously used by Constantine I. 
Note: This type is often erroneously attributed to Constantine I. It is in an issue with his brothers as Augusti, not as Caesars, which proves it is after the death of Constantine. 

 

F386. AE4. SECVRITAS REIP, Securitas leans on column  [no photo] (Also issued as Caesar, F385)

[No photo for Constantine II. Here is one for Constans}
SECVRITAS REIP
Securitas leans on column

This example: 15 mm. 1.41 grams. DN FL CONSTANS AVG. RIC VIII Rome 34.

This type is scarce and usually crowded. There is a similar type as Caesar with the legend two letters longer: SECVRITAS REIPVB (F375, no image).

 

F388. AE4. VIRTVS AVGG NN, soldier holding spear and shield. (Only Trier) (Very similar to the next type, but with a legend variant.)

[no photo for Constantine II. Here is one for Constantius II.]
VIRTVS AVGG NN, Soldier holding spear and shield.

This example: 15-14 mm. 1.57 grams.
RIC VIII Trier 74, struck 337-340. 

F389. VIRTVS AVGVSTI, soldier holding spear and shield.  (only Rome) (Very similar to the above type, but with a legend variant.)

VIRTVS AVGVSTI, soldier holding spear and shield.
Emperor standing left, head right, holding reversed spear and shield

This example: 17 mm. 1.48 grams.
RIC VIII Rome 4
 

 

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Fractional pieces from Trier. None of these extremely rare types listed in Table 4 are illustrated here. 
 

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"Types" and "varieties".  The line between "type" and "variety" can be fine. Is a campgate with four towers different from an otherwise-similar campgate with three towers? Yes, for some collectors, but, for purposes of this page, it is regarded as a different variety of the same type. Some basic designs have varieties of special interest. For example, the extremely common GLORIA EXERCITVS with two standards very rarely has a Christian chi-rho between the two standards. As a collectible, the chi-rho variety is far more valuable. Does that make it a different type? For purposes of this page, the important chi-rho variety is regarded as a variety, not a different type, so the answer is "No". 
   Where should the line between types be drawn? Collectors have good reasons to distinguish mints and special varieties, but this page does not. Academically, and in RIC, mint and field marks allow us to distinguish issues. US coins of the same design from different mints are considered different types. I choose not to draw those distinctions and call all coins with the same central design and legend one "type". This page is about reverse types. Some of the types come with various bust varieties. Interesting bust varieties may add a large premium to the value, but are not part of this list of reverse types. You are, of course, welcome to distinguish varieties as important to your collection in any way you like. 

 

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References: 

Failmezger, Victor. Roman Bronze Coins: From Paganism to Christianity, 294-364 A.D. 2002.

Roman Imperial Coinage, volumes VII (1966) and VIII (1981).  

 

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Go to the page on types of Constans.
 

Go to the page on types of Constantius II.

Go to the page on types of Constantius Gallus. 
 

Go to the main Table of Contents for this entire educational site.