★ Constantine III ★

CONSTANTINE III (407-411). Siliqua. Treveri.

Obv: D N CONSTANTINVS P F AVG.
Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIA AAAVGGG / TRMS.
Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory standing on globe and reversed spear.

RIC 1532.

Very rare. Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker 288 (2017), lot 922. Flavius Claudius Constantinus was a usurper who ruled Gaul between 407 and 411. In fact, the Emperor Honorius also associated him with the throne, and later fought and defeated him. The Roman army of Britain, abandoned by Honorius, elected as emperor Constantine, a simple soldier who made himself believe he was a descendant of Constantine the Great, claiming this false genealogy through his sons, whom he renamed Constans and Julian. Constantine III initially defeated Varus, Stilicho's lieutenant sent by Honorius, then succeeded in securing the Rhine frontier with victories and military treaties and by placing garrisons between Gaul and Italy. In 408 he placed the prefect of the praetorium in Arelate, of which he made his capital, then achieved important victories against the Vandals and extended his rule into Spain. Constantine was still threatened by Honorius, who was reorganising in Italy, and by the revolt in Spain in favour of the emperor.He managed to defeat and kill Verenian and Didymus, cousins of Honorius, and demanded recognition of his title of augustus. Honorius granted him the consulship and recognised him as a colleague. In 409 Constantine faced an uprising in Britain and promised to help the emperor against Alaric's Visigoths who were penetrating Italy, thus being appointed co-emperor. With the excuse of helping Honorius, Constantine conspired against him and crossed the Alps, but was forced to return to Arelate, facing the army of Gerontius, who invaded Gaul in 411 and killed Constans. On the death of Alaric, Honorius sent Magister Constantius (future Constantius III) to Gaul, who besieged Arelate and finally had Constantine III and his youngest son Julian killed.

Condition: Extremely fine; edge fault.

Weight: 1.54 g.
Diameter: 17 mm.