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. 

 
Table 1: Constantine II as Caesar (317-337)
(not including VOTA types)
Failmezger #(image link)
Mostly AE3s		             Types (images below)
in alphabetical order of reverse legend		 Rarity
F341, AE3 ALEMANNIA DEVICTA, Victory right S
F271-2, AE3 CLARITAS REIPVLICAE, Sol standing or running C
F337, AE3 CONSTANTINVS CAESAR (anepigraphic obverse) S
F365, AE4 GLORIA EXERCITVS two soldiers and two standards C
F372-3, AE4 GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and one standard  (This type is also issued as Augustus, F381) C
F279, AE3 IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing,  X/IIΓ in right field C
F278, AE3 IOVI CONSERVATORI CAESS, Jupiter standing C
F280, AE3 PAX PERPETVA, Pax leans on column (only at Rome) RR
F281, AE3 PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS, emperor right with spear and globe C
F282, AE3 PROVIDENTIAE  CAESS, campgate (city gate) C
F283, AE3 PROVIDENTIAE  CAESS, Jupiter standing C
F284, AE3 SAECVLI FELICITAS, shield on cippus RR
F375, AE4 SECVRITAS REIPVB, Securitas leans on column (Only from Rome. Also issued as Augustus, F386) R
F286, AE3 SOLI INVICTO COMITI, Sol standing or advancing S
F287, AE3 VICTORIA CAESS, Victory left (Only from Thessaloncia) S
F361-2, AE3 VIRTVS AVGG, campgate S
F361-2, AE3 VIRTVS CAESS, campgate S
F288, AE3 VIRTVS EXERCIT, X-like design with Sol standing (Only from Thessaloncia) R
F291, AE3 VIRTVS EXERCIT, trophy and two captives S

 

Table 2: Constantine II as Caesar
VOTA types in order of vows: PR, V, X, XV, XX

Failmezger #(image link)
Most are AE3s

    Type (images) Rarity
F316-318, AE3 VOT PR on shield held by two Victories, VICTORIA LAET PRINC PERP around C
F300, AE3 VOT V in wreath, CAESARVM NOSTRORVM aound. C
F301, AE3 VOT V (large V) with no wreath RR
F321, AE3 VOT V MVLT X CAESS, (only from Thessalonica around) C
F309 and 312, AE3 VOT V in wreath, DOMINOR(VM) NOSTROR(VM) CAESS around C
F302, AE3 VOTIS V (no wreath) CAESARVM NOSTRORVM around  
F303, AE3  VOT X in wreath, CAESARVM NOSTRORVM around  
F310, AE3 VOT X in wreath, DOMINOR NOSTROR CAESS around  
F319, AE3  VOT X on standard, VIRTVS EXERCIT around S
F322, AE3 VOT X ET XV F in wreath (only from Rome), RIC Rome 206, r5 from each of three officina) RR
F323, AE3 VOT XV in wreath. (Rome only. RIC Rome 210, two r5 officina.) RR
F324, AE3 VOT XV FEL XX, in wreath (Rome only, RIC Rome 218, 224, each r5) RR
F315, AE3 XV on shield held by Roma seated right
ROMAE AETERNAE around		 S
F305, AE3 VOT XX  in wreath, DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG around (A mule) S
F320, AE3 VOT XX  on standard, two captives below
VIRTVS EXERCIT		 C
F299, AE3  VO TIS XX on altar sumounted by globe
BEATA TRANQVILLITAS around		 C

 

Table 3: Constantine II as Augustus (337-340)
Failmezger #(image link)
AE size		    Type (images) Rarity
F381, AE4 GLORIA EXERCITVS two soldiers and one standard (This type is also issued as Caesar, F372-373) C
F386, AE4 SECVRITAS REIPVB, Securitas leans on column (Only Rome) S
F388, AE4 VIRTVS AVGG NN, Soldier holding spear and shield (Only Trier) R
F389, AE4 VIRTVS AVGVSTI, Soldier holding spear and shield (Only Rome) S

 

Table 4: Constantine II fractions from Trier 
Failmezger #
AE size		       Type (no images) Rarity
F293, AE4 PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS, Emperor standing RR
F294, AE4 VBERITAS SAECVLI, three moneta standing RR
F327, AE4 VOT V CAESS NN RR
F328, AE4 VOT V MVLT X RR

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
F341
This example: 19 mm. 2.91 grams.
RIC Sirmium 50

 


F271
CLARITAS REIPVB
F271
This example: 20 mm. 3.37 grams.
RIC Arles 104 (unlisted officina variety)

 


 


F 337
CONSTAN/TINVS/CAESAR
F 337
This example: 18 mm. 2.19 grams.
RIC Antioch 59.
 
 

F365 
GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and two standards.
F365 
This example: 19 mm. 2.51 grams
RIC Siscia 220.

 
 
 

An important 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
 
 


F373


GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and one standard
AE4 
F373
This example: 17 mm. 1.84 grams.
RIC Arles 382.

F279
IOVI CONSERVATORI
 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
F278
This example:  20-19 mm. 3.04 grams.
RIC Alexandria 26
 



F281
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)
F282
This example: 19 mm. 3.44 grams.
RIC Heraclea 26
 

F283
PROVIDENTIAE  CAESS, Jupiter standing left, holding Victory on globe
F283
This example: 20 mm. 3.40 grams.
RIC Nicomedia 36
 


F284
SAECVLI FELICITAS (no photo). F284

F285
SOLI INVICTO COMITI, Sol standing or advancing (no photo for Constantine II, but here is one of the type for Constantine) F286.

SOLI INVICTO COMITI
F285
This example is one of Constantine I, not Constantine II.


F287
VICTORIA CAESS, Victory left
Only from Thessaloncia
F287
This example:  19 mm. 2.51 grams.
RIC Thessalonica 65

F361

VIRTVS AVGG, campgate. 
P   R  either side
This issue includes Constantine, Licinius, Crispus, and Constantine II. It is dated to 318-9.  
F361
This example: 19 mm. 2.76 grams.
RIC Rome 173


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

F288
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
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. 

VIRTVS EXERCITI, trophy with two captives
F291
This example:  19-18 mm. 2.76 grams.
RIC Thessalonica 83
 
 

 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
F301 (unlisted for Constantine II, but here is an example)
This example: 20 mm. 3.09 grams.
RIC Thessalonica 95 (r5 with only this one variety)
 


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

VOT
  V  in wreath
DOMINORVM NOSTRORVM CAESS around
F309
This example is not of Constantine II, rather Crispus.
 
F321

VOT V
MVLT X
CAESS
(Only from Thessalonica)
F321
This example: 19 mm. 3.32 grams.
RIC Thessalonica 45

 
F302

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
 

VOT X

F310
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
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) F322
[No photo]

 
XV

F315
X
V  on shield held by Roma seated right
ROMAE AETERNAE
F315
This example: 19 mm. 2.81 grams.
RIC Rome 156

 

VOT XX

F299
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
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
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" (above).
 
 


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

F381
GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and one standard
F381
This example: 17 mm. 1.87 grams,
RIC VIII Siscia 85

Note: This type is often erroneously attrbuted 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. SECVRITAS REIPVB, Securitas leans on column  [no photo]

F389
VIRTVS AVGVSTI
Emperor standing left, head right, holding reversed spear and shield

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


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


"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. 

 


References: 

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

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

 


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.