★ A very rare solidus of Constantius II with an exceptional shield decoration ★

Constantius II, 337-361. Solidus (Gold, 21 mm, 4.51 g, 12 h), Constantinopolis, 351-355. FL IVL CONSTAN-TIVS PERP AVGV Helmeted, pearl-diademed and cuirassed bust of Constantius II facing, his head turned slightly to right, holding spear over his shoulder in his right hand and with a shield, decorated with the emperor advancing right, head left, dragging captive with his right hand and holding trophy in his left, on his left shoulder. Rev. GLORIA REI PVBLICAE / CONS Roma, helmeted, seated facing on the left, holding spear in her left hand, and Constantinopolis, turreted, seated to left with her right foot on prow on the right, holding scepter in her left hand, supporting between them a shield inscribed VOT / XXX / MVLT / XXXX. Depeyrot 3/4. RIC -, cf. 98 (differing mintmark). A very rare variety. Sharply struck and perfectly centered, with a very attractive portrait and an unusual shield decoration. Very light marks, otherwise, good extremely fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.

Unlike the typical Solidi of Constantius II, which feature a shield adorned with the soon-to-be-canonical depiction of a horseman riding down an opponent, this piece displays a very rare shield decoration: the emperor marching to the right with a trophy over his shoulder, dragging a captive behind him. This motif first appears under Constantine the Great and was frequently adopted in the 4th and 5th centuries, though almost exclusively as a reverse type, and not as this incredibly detailed shield decoration.