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For the last decade of mid-fourth century AD, Constantius II (317-361 AD) and his brother Constans reigned over the east and west portions of the Roman Empire. Towards the end of that period, the brothers decided on a major coinage reform. The reform was to deal with the declining follis, which shrank from about 12.5 g to 1.5 g in weight (or 30 mm to 15 mm in diameter) in the first half of the 4th century AD. The new standard, called a centenionalis, weighed in at about 5 g. Coins declared a new message on the reverse: FEL TEMP REPARATIO. This stands for
felix (or perhaps
felicium)
temporum reparatio, roughly corresponding to “Happy Days are Here Again.”
Several motifs were employed along with this legend, the most popular one with Constantius has become known among ancient coin collectors today as the falling (or fallen) horseman. The basic concept: a Roman soldier spears a barbarian enemy dislodged from his horse. It might be return to glory days for the soldier, but the poor enemy is meeting his doom at the point of a spear. There are a myriad of variations, depending on multiple variables, such as the stance and attire (particularly headwear) for the soldier and the enemy, the horse’s position, etc. Fans of this coin type have published much useful and interesting information about their studies. Broadly speaking, there are four types, and this particular coin is falling horseman type 3 (FH3). It was struck in Alexandria, Egypt, sometime between 351 and 355 AD, after Constantius had become sole Augustus over the Roman Empire as a result of events described below.
By 350 AD, Constans’ reputation for avarice and cruelty resulted in the western troops declaring the usurper Magnentius for their Emperor. With this news, Constans’ support completely collapsed, and he fled, only to be cornered and slain by Magnentius’ supporters. Although his background and social standing officially disqualified him, Magnentius soon had the endorsement of Britannia, Gaul, and Hispania.
Constantius, however, refused to accept Magnentius’ claim to the throne. The last remaining son of Constantine gathered his armies and launched a campaign to deal with the usurper in the west. Before his departure, Constantius appointed his cousin, Constantius Gallus, as Caesar, charged with governing over the eastern provinces until the Augustus’ return. Constantius also arranged for his sister, Constantina, to marry Gallus, solidifying the relationship.
In 351 AD, the forces of the eastern and western Roman Empires met in battle at Mursa, Pannonia, which turned out to be one of bloodiest in all Roman history. Both sides took heavy casualties, in the many tens of thousands, and Magnentius was forced to retreat back to Rome. Constantius kept on the offensive. Although Magnentius had some success in defending Italy, for example at the Battle of Pavia, he eventually lost local support, forcing a further retreat to Gaul, which, along with perhaps Britannia, was the remaining extent of his influence. Acknowledging the inevitable, Magnentius fell on his own sword in 353 AD.
Constantius was now sole Augustus over the entire Roman Empire from east to west, a feat last accomplished three decades earlier by his father, Constantine I, after the defeat of Licinius. Constantius did not have the chance to relax and enjoy his undisputed status, however, as he had to deal with remaining external, and internal, threats to his Empire. Constantius spent much of the next two years fighting against the pesky Alemanni on the Danube frontier. After arriving at a peace, Constantius settled in Milan, where he received critical reviews of Gallus’ leadership over the eastern Empire. In 354 AD, Constantius ordered his Caesar’s arrest and interrogation. After Gallus tried to pin the eastern Empire’s mismanagement on (the now deceased) Constantina, the enraged Constantius ordered his Caesar’s execution.
The vacancy did not last long: in 355 AD, Constantius declared his only remaining male relative, Julian, as Caesar. Sealing the deal, Julian was married to Helena, Constantius’ last surviving sister. By the end of the decade, Julian focused on rule and defense of the western Empire from his base in Gaul, while Constantius eventually returned his attention eastward, defending against the Sassanid invasion of Mesopotamia.
Constantius called for aid from Julian’s troops, who resisted, understandably preferring to stay home in (relatively stable) Gaul, rather than deployment to the other end of the Empire to engage formidable enemies. Showing their solidarity, the Gallic troops promoted Julian from Caesar to Augustus in 360 AD.
Constantius once again took exception to anyone wearing the purple without his consent. As soon as there was a lull in the battle against the Sassanids, Constantius mustered his travel-weary troops and head west to deal with Julian’s unexpected insurrection. Along the way, Constantius became ill with fever. Accepting his death was near, Constantius, like his father Constantine, arranged to be baptized according to the Christian faith. Perhaps the experience proved a lesson in forgiveness: Constantius’ last imperial decree was reaffirmation that Julian was his rightful successor.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Constantius II, AD 337-361, Post-Magnentian Revolt, AE Centenionalis (4.93 g) , Alexandria mint, 4th officina, 351-355 AD, NGC GRADE: Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Bust, facing right, draped and cuirassed, pearl-diademed, wearing necklace, DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG, Reverse: Helmeted soldier to left, shield on left arm, spearing falling horseman with extended left arm; shield on ground at right, FEL TEMP RE–PARATIO, G in upper left field, ALED in exergue, References: RIC 72, LRBC 2836, RBC 461b8CS.