★ Amazing Constantius II solidus. Emperor bust facing! ★

Roman Empire - Constantius II, 337-361. Gold solidus (4,44 g. 21 mm.) - Rome mint, 2nd. officina, 355-357 A.D.

FL IVL CONST-ANTIVS PF AVG - Helmeted bust cuirassed facing slightly to right, holding spear over right shoulder and shield ornamented with floral pattern on left shoulder.

GLORIA REI PVBLICAE / RSMB between two palms. 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 / XX / MVLT / XXX.

RIC 293; Depeyrot 14/1.

The armored three-quarter facing bust type seen on this solidus was an innovation by Constantius II that became an archetype for Late Roman and Byzantine coinage struck at Eastern mints. Later die engravers took less care to produce a distinctive portrait, however, and from the later fourth century forward the imperial busts became generic and virtually interchangeable.

Choice very fine. Lovely portrait. Nice colour.