Obverse. Photo © CoinArchives
  • 1/2 Centenionalis 351-354 AD, RIC# VIII 53, Pannonia, Constantius Gallus
  • 1/2 Centenionalis 351-354 AD, RIC# VIII 53, Pannonia, Constantius Gallus
Description

Flavius Claudius Constantius Gallus (ca. 325/326–354), commonly known as Constantius Gallus, was a member of the Constantinian dynasty and Caesar of the Roman Empire (351–354). Gallus was consul three years, from 352 to 354.

Sirmium was a city in the Roman province of Pannonia. First mentioned in the 4th century BC and originally inhabited by Illyrians and Celts, it was conquered by the Romans in the 1st century BC and subsequently became the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia Inferior. In 294 AD, Sirmium was proclaimed one of four capitals of the Roman Empire. It was also the capital of the Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum and of Pannonia Secunda. Sirmium was located on the Sava river, on the site of modern Sremska Mitrovica in northern Serbia. The mint in Sirmium was connected with the mint in Salona and silver mines in the Dinaric Alps through the Via Argentaria.

The bronze centenionalis coins were the attempts of Constans and Constantius II to reintroduce a large bronze coin between 320 and 340 AD, as the follis had by then shrunk dramatically. The type of coin it was is uncertain, but numismatists have categorized large bronze coins of the above date under this denomination. The centenionalis, however, did not last long. By the end of Theodosius the Great's rule, only smaller varieties of bronze coins were minted (AE3 and AE4).

Obverse

Constantius Gallus, laureate, bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right.

DN CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C (Dominus Noster Constantius Iunior Nobilissimus Caesar)

DN CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C

Reverse

Roman soldier spearing fallen horseman. Shield on ground at right, horseman turns to face soldier and extends left arm.

FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO (Felix Temporum Reparatio)
Mintmark BSIRM (for Sirmium Mint) in exergue

FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO
BSIRM

Edge -
Characteristics
Production Hammering
Material Bronze
Weight 4.2 g
Diameter 20 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Mint
Sirmium Mint

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