Constantius II, 337-361. Solidus (Gold, 21 mm, 4.44 g, 6 h), Lugdunum, 353-354. FL IVL CONSTAN-TIVS PERP AVG Helmeted, pearl-diademed and cuirassed bust of Constantius II facing, his head turned slightly to right, holding spear over his shoulder in his right hand and with a shield, decorated with a horseman galloping left and spearing a fallen foe, on his left shoulder. Rev. GLORIA REI PVBLICAE / SMLVG 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 / XXX / MVLT / XXXX. Bastien 227. Depeyrot 3/1. RIC 178. Extremely rare and struck in high relief. A few faint scratches and with very minor die wear, otherwise, virtually as struck.


After his final defeat by Constantius II at the Battle of Mons Seleucus on 3 July 353, Magnentius fled to Lyon, where he took his own life on 10 August. Upon entering the old capital of Roman Gaul, the victorious emperor ordered a small series of his new solidi to be struck in celebration of his tricennalia. All of these are extremely rare today, including the present specimen with the emperor’s characteristic new frontal bust.