Σύγχρονο Ασήμι Κολιέ με Constans Follis (χωρίς τιμή ασφαλείας)

ITEM: Σύγχρονο κρεμαστό με Φολίς του Constantius II
MATERIAL: Ασήμι και μπρούνζος
CULTURE: Ρωμαϊκή
PERIOD: 4ος αι. μ.Χ.
DIMENSIONS: διάμετρος 17 mm
CONDITION: Καλή κατάσταση. Αρχικό νόμισμα εντός ενός σύγχρονου χειροποίητου κυκλικού ασημένιου περιβλήματος.
PROVENANCE: Από βελγική ιδιωτική συλλογή, αποκτήθηκε τη δεκαετία του 1990

COIN DESCRIPTION: Constans (Caesar: 333-337) Constans, AE4, Κωνσταντινούπολη. FL CONSTANS NOB CAES, στεφανωμένος, περιδεμένος, προτομή αριστερά με θωρακισμένο θώρακα / GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, δύο στρατιώτες όρθιοι δίπλα σε ένα λάβαρο με το Ο στο πανό. Mintmark CONSI. RIC VII Constantinople 140. 16mm 1.28g

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity.

IMPORTANT: Does not include the transparent cord shown in the photo

Constans, born Flavius Julius Constans around 320 AD, was the youngest son of Emperor Constantine the Great and Empress Fausta. Following the death of his father in 337 AD, the Roman Empire was divided among Constans and his two older brothers, Constantine II and Constantius II. Constans inherited the administration of Italia, Africa, and Illyricum. Tensions quickly flared over territorial disputes, leading Constantine II to invade Constans' territory in 340 AD. Constans, displaying surprising military resolve despite his youth, defeated and killed his elder brother in an ambush near Aquileia, thereby absorbing the western provinces of Gaul, Britannia, and Hispania into his dominion.

As sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire, Constans scored key military victories, successfully defending the Rhine frontier against Germanic tribes such as the Franks and undertaking a rare winter crossing to Roman Britain in 343 AD to restore order. Religiously, he was a staunch supporter of Nicene Christianity, contrasting with his brother Constantius II, who favored Arianism. Constans actively suppressed paganism and Donatist dissidents while offering crucial support to Athanasius, the exiled Bishop of Alexandria. This staunch theological stance widened the division between the Western and Eastern halves of the empire, foreshadowing future religious and political schisms.

Despite his administrative and military successes, Constans grew deeply unpopular among his civilian subjects and the military command. Contemporary chroniclers cited his personal corruption, high taxation, and autocratic rule, alongside allegations of misconduct and favoritism toward his inner circle. In early 350 AD, a military officer named Magnentius was proclaimed emperor by rebel troops in Gaul with widespread support. Deprived of loyal forces and unable to quell the uprising, Constans fled toward Hispania but was cornered and executed by Magnentius' assassin, Helena, at the fortress of Helena in the Pyrenees.