Beschreibung
Erhaltung: ss / vz | Abkürzungen
Katalognummer: Constans crossing to Britain
Durchmesser: 24,00 mm
weight 5,65gr. | billon Ø 24mm.
officina 1
obv. Bust of Constans, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right,
surrounded by the legend DN CONSTANS P F AVG
rev. Constans, draped, cuirassed, standing left on galley,
holding Phoenix on globe in right hand and labarum (standard with
on banner) in left hand steering the ship, seated Victory, surrounded
by the legend FEL TEMPREPARATIO, TESA in exergue
Just as Constantius II favored the Falling Horseman, Constans most frequently used the Galley steered by Victory. The emperor is shown standing in the galley holding either a small figure of Victory or a Phoenix on a globe. The scene probably honors Constans crossing to Britain in the winter of 342 to 343 to defeat the invading Picts, as described in a now-lost book of Ammianus Marcellus. Such visit would have necessitated a winter crossing of the English channel, a type of journey that was never welcomed in antiquity. This visit was first commemorated on a bronze medallion for Constans struck circa 343, with legend BONONIA OCEANEN, which shows Constans fully armoured on a galley. Galleys had often been used on coins to symbolize the travel of Emperor. Hadrianus struck a series of large bronzes, circa 125 to 128, showing galleys.
Cohen 9 | RIC 109 | LRBC II, 1639 | Sear 18661
some weakness of strike (worn dies), but this specimen has
not been long in circulation, as the silverwash is still present.
vf/xf
