Roman Bronze Constantine II Follis Necklace

Roman Bronze Constantine II Follis Necklace

Name: Roman Bronze Constantine II Follis Necklace
SKU: AG-22
Price: 150.00 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

£ 150.00

A finely minted Roman bronze follis coin from the reign of Constantine II, mounted in a modern frame. The Emperor’s bust is depicted on one side, the obverse, wearing a laurel wreath around his head. He faces to the right and surrounding his head is the legend CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C. This refers to the Emperor, in this case Constantine. The inscription IVN stands for Ivveni or Ivventis, meaning younger or junior; letting us ascertain that this coin was minted for Constantine II. Nob C refers to the title ‘Nobilissimus Caesar’, ‘noble Caesar’. To the reverse is another legend surrounding a laurel garland, with a further inscription to the centre. The outer inscription reads as CAESARVM NOSTRORVM, which translates as ‘the heir apparent, of our people’ and the letters within the garland are VOT X. This stands for ‘votis’ x, referring to vows undertaken in the tenth year of the Emperor’s reign and is a commemoration of their accession.

The coin is set within a modern stainless steel, 18kt gold-plated case, which can be opened. To the obverse, the casing has been inset with evenly spaced crystals, whilst the reverse is branded with the logo from a Hatton Garden jeweller. The case closes through the use of magnets, with small hinge at the base. There is an attached loop for suspension and a supplied stainless steel, gold-plated chain.

Dimensions of the pendant are given below. The actual necklace length measures: 50cm in total, from end to end. It can be fastened at 45cm also.

Date: Circa AD 320-321
Condition: Excellent condition. Crisp detailing to the coin. Set in a modern 18kt gold pendant with crystals.

SOLD

SKU: AG-22 Category: Necklaces Tags: Inscription, Male Figures

Description
Additional information

This particular coin depicts the profile of Constantine II, deciphered from the legend on the obverse and reverse. He was the second son of the infamous Emperor, Constantine the Great. He was given the title of Caesar by his father in AD 317, 20 years prior to his death. When Constantine I died, his great Empire was divided between his sons; Constantine II, Constantius and Constans. Constantine II originally ruled the provinces of Britain, Gaul and Spain. He died fighting his brother Constans for full control of the Empire.

This particular coin was minted in Siscia, which can be ascertained from the mintmark on the reverse. Beneath the laurel wreath are the letters ΕSIS. The epsilon, E, refers to the officina number, or number of workshops operating at the mint. As epsilon is the fifth letter in the Greek alphabet, it is the 5th officina. SIS is a shortening of Siscia, referring to the mint.