Constantius II, 337-361. Solidus (Subargentum, 23 mm, 3.26 g, 6 h), a contemporary plated imitation. Irregular mint. CONSTAN-TIVS AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius II to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM Victory seated right on cuirass and shield, inscribing VOT / XXX in two lines on shield set on her left knee and supported by small cupid on the right, standing left. Cf. Depeyrot 4/8 and RIC 17 (for prototype). Minor breaks in plating, otherwise, very fine.


This highly intriguing contemporary plated imitation is unusual in that the core is silver rather than bronze. It is therefore not subaerate, but subargentum (from argentum, 'silver').