Siliqua of Constantius II

This Roman silver coin was sent in by Mike Ruczynski but it was found some time back by his brother, John. I was asked to provide an ID and a valuation on John’s find.

The coin is a siliqua of Constantius II, whose dates are AD 337 to 361. On the obverse is a laureate bust of the emperor and a legend that reads D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG. This side of the coin is in VF condition and the flan is unusually large with a small striking crack at the top.

The reason that the flan is so large is explained by the state of the reverse. This side has been struck once and then hit again. Sadly, the flan shifted before the second strike and the end result is a double rendition of the second half of the legend.

On the reverse the figure of Victory advances to the left. The first part of the legend reads VICTORIA; the second half is double struck but AVG can be seen at the end. If the whole legend could be seen then it would read VICTORIA DD NN AVG. The partially visible mint letters in the exergue (LVG) stand for Lugdunum.

In volume V of David Sear’s Roman Coins and Their Values a siliqua of this type is listed as number 17948. This type is dated by Sear to AD 360-61.   

Valuation

The obverse is well struck and attractive but the overall appearance of the coin is spoilt to some extent by the double struck reverse. As it stands, I would price this Constantius II siliqua at £50.

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