Constantius I, 305-306. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 5.32 g, 6 h), Ticinum, 305-306. CONSTANT-IVS P F AVG Laureate head of Constantius I to right. Rev. FELICITAS AVGG NOSTR / SMT Felicitas seated left, holding caduceus in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left. Calicó 4823 (same dies as illustration). Cohen 38. RIC 1A. Lustrous and with an exceptionally bold and impressive portrait. Tiny flan fault on the cheek and with a minor scratch on the reverse, otherwise, virtually as struck.


The purpose of this magnificent aureus was clear: after the regime-change in 305, it presented Constantius and Galerius as the new Augusti to the Roman army and people. Alas, Constantius suddenly died in 306 while campaigning in Britain, throwing Diocletian's carefully planned succession of rulers into disarray.