CONSTANTIUS I CHLORUS, as Caesar
AD 293-305AE Follis. 8.88g, 25mm
MINTED: Alexandria mint, AD 302-303
REF: RIC VI Alexandria 35a
OBVERSE: FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, laureate head right.
REVERSE: GENIO POPV-L-I ROMANI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae; S in left field, delta over P in right field, ALE in exergue.
Notes:Well-centered. Dark green patina.
Portraits of emperors on coins during the early period of Tetrarchy were often stylistically indistinguishable, but in this instance, Constantius is shown with his distinctive beard curls.
Historical Notes:
Constantius I was nicknamed Chlorus ('the Pale'), and suceeded Emperor Maximianus to become co-emperor of the Second Tetrarchy in 305. He ruled as the Augustus of the West for just over a year, before falling ill and dying while leading a military campaign against the Pictish tribes in Britain. His son, Constantine, took control of his legions and claimed Imperial power by birthright. Constantine would eventually become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire and its first Christian emperor.
