Ancient Coins: ROMAN GOLD: Constantius II, 337-361 A.D. RR

AV Solidus, 4.56g. Trier mint, 353 A.D. D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG. Cuirassed and draped bust of Constantius to right wearing jeweled diadem. Rev. VICTORIA AVG NOSTRI; TR in exergue. The emperor standing to left wearing cuirass and holding globe and spear; Victory with spread wings advancing to left holding palm and wreath. RIC 331. Depeyrot 14/2(2 examples listed). Very rare with only two examples listed in Depeyrot. Lustrous mint state with some light die corrosion on the obverse

This very rare type was struck during the final days of Magnentius when the city of Trier had revolted in favor of Constantius II.

The solidi of this rare issue are heavier than usual with this one weighing 4.56 rather than the usual 4.45g.; some examples are at an even higher weight. Kent notes in RIC that these may have been issued to contrast with the light weight solidi of Magnentius at this time and to show the stability of the legitimate ruler.

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