Constans

Imperator Caesar Flavius Julius Constans Augustus

Reign 337 AD – 350 AD
Dynasty Constantinian
Born c. 320 AD
Died 350 AD

Flavius Julius Constans, the youngest son of Constantine I, initially received Africa and Italy in the partition of 337, then gained his brother Constantine II's territories after 340, becoming ruler of the entire West. A staunch supporter of Nicene Christianity, he pressured his brother Constantius II on theological matters and threatened war if Athanasius was not restored to his see. He was murdered in 350 during the coup by Magnentius, fleeing to a temple in the Pyrenees where he was killed.

Constans's visit to Britain (341–342 AD) is archaeologically significant; it may be associated with building activity at Hadrian's Wall. His FEL TEMP REPARATIO types introduced one of the most collected and varied series in late Roman numismatics.

Key Events

337 AD Became Augustus after Constantine I's death; received Africa, Italy, and the Danubian provinces
340 AD Gained the western provinces after Constantine II's death in his invasion
341–342 AD Visited Britain, the last reigning emperor to do so for nearly two centuries
346 AD Threatened Constantius II with war over the restoration of Athanasius
350 AD Magnentius revolted; Constans murdered fleeing to Spain or the Pyrenees

Coinage

Constans issued coinage from the western mints throughout his reign. The FEL TEMP REPARATIO (Restoration of the Happy Times) series, introduced late in his reign and continued under Constantius II, features multiple reverse types including the famous 'falling horseman' and galley types. The CONCORDIA MILITVM and VICTORIAE DD AVGG types also appear regularly.

Denominations

Solidus Siliqua AE2 (Maiorina) AE3 AE4

Notable Types

  • FEL TEMP REPARATIO (multiple variants)
  • VICTORIAE DD AVGG Q NN types (with Constantine II)
  • GLORIA EXERCITVS types
  • CONCORDIA MILITVM types

Common Reverses

FEL TEMP REPARATIO VICTORIAE DD AVGG Q NN GLORIA EXERCITVS CONCORDIA MILITVM

Active Mints

Trier (Augusta Treverorum) Arles (Arelate) Rome Aquileia Siscia Thessalonica Constantinople

Further Reading

  • Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume VIII, J.P.C. Kent
  • Roman Coins and Their Values, Volume IV, David R. Sear