Constantius II AV Solidus. Nicomedia, AD 355-361. D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed head to right / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma enthroned facing, holding spear, and Constantinopolis enthroned to left with foot on prow and holding sceptre, supporting between them shield inscribed VOT XXXX; SMNS in exergue. RIC VIII 100; Depeyrot 6/1. 4.47g, 22mm, 12h.

Near Mint State. Very Rare.

From a private UK collection.

Bearing an obverse portrait of fine style and striking similarity to the monumental head of Constantius that can be seen in the Capitoline Museum in Rome, this solidus was struck in celebration of the emperor's thirty-fifth anniversary. According to Ammianus Marcellinus (XVI, 10, 1-20), to mark the occasion Constantius entered Rome in triumphal style, held equestrian games and had an obelisk brought from Egypt and erected in the Circus Maximus.