Roman Imperial — AE3 Follis
Constantius II Follis — PROVIDENTIAE CAESS
AD 324-337
The Story
Constantius II was elevated to Caesar in AD 324 at just seven years old, one of several heirs Constantine was grooming for succession. When Constantine died in AD 337, the empire was divided among his three surviving sons — a division that led to civil war. Constantius II eventually became sole emperor in AD 353 after eliminating rivals, ruling until his death in AD 361. The PROVIDENTIAE CAESS reverse type proclaimed divine protection for the imperial heirs, legitimizing the dynasty Constantine was establishing.
Historical Context
Constantine the Great's reign, Christianization of the Empire
- •AD 324 — Constantine defeats Licinius, reunites the Empire
- •AD 325 — Council of Nicaea, first ecumenical council
- •AD 330 — Constantinople founded as new eastern capital
- •AD 337 — Constantine dies, empire divided among his sons
This coin was struck during Constantine the Great's reign, connecting your collection to one of history's most influential emperors — the man who legalized Christianity and founded Constantinople.
Symbolism
Obverse
NOB C (Nobilissimus Caesar)
'Most Noble Caesar' — junior emperor title
Indicates this was struck while Constantius II was still Caesar under his father Constantine, not yet Augustus
Laureate portrait
Imperial authority
Standard for Caesars; Augusti sometimes shown with diadem
Reverse
Camp gate
Military strength, frontier defense, imperial security
Represents the fortified camps (castra) that were the backbone of Roman military power, or fortified cities the army defended
Star above gate
Possibly Christian symbolism or traditional divine favor
Constantine had embraced Christianity; celestial symbols appeared frequently on his coinage
PROVIDENTIAE CAESS
'Providence of the Caesars'
Divine protection for the imperial heirs, legitimizing Constantine's dynasty
Design
Obverse
Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust facing right
FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C
Reverse
Camp gate with two turrets, no doors, star above
PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS
What Could This Buy?
By the fourth century, small bronzes like this served everyday transactions but had little intrinsic value. A laborer might earn 25-50 of these coins per day.
Worth Knowing
- ◈This coin connects your collection to Constantine the Great, founder of Constantinople
- ◈The camp gate design was so popular it was used for decades across multiple emperors
- ◈Constantinople (modern Istanbul) would remain capital of the Eastern Roman/Byzantine Empire for over 1,100 years
Origin
Mint: Various (mint mark in exergue)
Role: Multiple regional mints produced this common type
By the 4th century, the Empire had numerous mints to supply coinage quickly — Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, Trier, and many others.
Office: Imperial mint officials