CONSTANTIUS II
AD 337-361
AE3 . 2.91g, 17.7mm
MINTED: Trier mint, AD 348-350
REF: RIC VIII Constantinople 93 (scarce)
OBVERSE: DN CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
REVERSE: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, radiate Phoenix standing on globe; CONSS* in exergue.

Grade/Notes:
Very Fine. Attractive smooth black patina with earthen highlights.
 
Historical Notes:
Constantius II was the longest reigning of the three sons of Constantine the Great who had divided the Roman empire amongst themselves after his death in 337.  By 340, only Constantius and Constans remained.  In 350, the usurper Magnentius revolted against Constans and had been him assassinated.  Constantius went to war with Magnentius, defeated him in 353, and was left the sole ruler of the Roman empire.  With his cousins Gallus and Julian serving as Caesars, Constantius spent much of the next few years contending with raiding Alamanni, more usurpers, and an invasion by the Sassanian Empire.  His final challenge came when the legions under Julian revolted and declared him emperor, forcing Constantius to prepare for war against his own heir apparent.  Before their forces were able to meet, Constantius fell seriously ill and died of fever in Cilicia, after acknowledging Julian his successor.