Owner Comments:
Constantius II (317-361 AD) was the middle of three sons of Constantine I the Great and Fausta. His younger brother was Constans, and his elder brother was Constantine II; he also had an older step-brother, Crispus. Over the course of his long reign, the elder Constantine gradually divided power amongst his relations, starting in 317 AD when he made co-Caesars of Crispus and Constantine II. In 324 AD, Constantius was added to the list. This brought the total number of co-Caesars to three, at least until 326 AD, when Constantine had Crispus killed.
This coin was minted shortly thereafter, probably sometime in 326-327 AD in Nicomedia. Constantius was only about 10 years old at the time, which is consistent with the young obverse portrait bust. The epithet also reflects that at the time the coin was minted, Constantius’ title was (noble) Caesar, or NOB C.
On the reverse is a campgate, a popular numismatic motif for coins of Constantine’s dynasty. The campgate represented the protection that was afforded by the military, for example against barbarians. The camp was typically a structure comprised of blocks, sometimes with a door, or, as on this coin, merely an opening. On top were a varying number of structures typically referred to as “turrets”; on this coin, there as two turrets (since the camp is depicted in two dimensions on the coin, there were probably four, one atop each corner). The turrets were actually beacons, or large kettles that, during times of attack, were lighted and subsequently signaled, by fire and/or smoke, any other line-of-sight camp (they usually sat atop hills or other suitably strategic locations). The next station, upon seeing the signal, would in turn light their beacons, and thereby the message moved down the line of the frontier.
On the reverse of the coin is also a star, situated above and in between the turrets, yet another symbol that fits with the campgate beacons. Along with the reverse legend, PROVIDENTIAE CAE, the motif conveys providence, or forethought, in this case related to the young Caesar. The message is also consistent with the campgate system itself, which allowed Roman military leaders to rapidly communicate and respond to external threats.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Constantius II, 337-361, As Caesar, Struck in Nicomedia 326-327 AD, AE3 (Billon Nummus) (3.12 g), NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Laureate, draped & cuirassed bust left, FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, Reverse: Campgate with six layers, two turrets, no doors, star above, PROVIDEN-TIAE CAES dot, NB in exergue, Reference: RIC VII 147.