Constantius II, as Caesar, 324-337. Follis (Silvered bronze, 20 mm, 3.29 g, 12 h), Nicomedia, 327. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius II to left. Rev. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAES• / SMNB Campgate with two turrets and no doors; above, star. RIC -. Very rare. Nearly extremely fine.


While RIC dates this emission to 328-329, the diadems worn by both Constantine I (triple row) and the Caesars (plain diadems, unlisted in RIC) show conclusively that it was produced no later than 327. In his lists for most mints, Bruun tried to close the apparent production gaps between the 'PROVIDENTIAE' coinage and the 'GLORIA' coinage by shifting and extending the time of production of the former. However, iconography and Constantine's itinerary suggest a gap of one to two years before the 'GLORIA' coinage was introduced. It is likely that the bare-headed and plain-diademed coins for the Caesars reflect uncertainty as to how to portray the imperial members, and that the mint only received new instructions after Constantine's return to Nicomedia in mid 327.