The Tale of Constantius II and the FEL TEMP REPARATIO Maiorina
 
Step back into the 4th century AD, a time of significant political and military challenges for the Roman Empire. The bustling streets of cities across the empire, from the heart of Rome to the distant reaches of the provinces, are filled with activity. Among the many coins circulating is the Maiorina—this particular coin features Constantius II, symbolizing his efforts to restore the glory and stability of the Roman Empire.
 
Meet Constantius II:
 
Imagine Constantius II, one of the sons of Constantine the Great, who ruled from 337 to 361 AD. His reign was marked by efforts to maintain the unity of the empire, religious controversies, and numerous military campaigns. His coin, minted during a period of revival and reform, carries significant historical and cultural weight, celebrating his achievements and his role as a restorer of peace and stability.
 
A Time of Restoration and Reform:
 
Constantius II’s reign was marked by significant efforts to restore the stability and prosperity of the Roman Empire. The FEL TEMP REPARATIO series of coins were issued to commemorate the various reforms and military victories achieved during his rule.
 
Historical Context:
 
Constantius II:
Constantius II was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 337 to 361 AD. He was one of the sons of Constantine the Great and played a significant role in maintaining the unity and stability of the Roman Empire during a time of internal strife and external threats. His reign was marked by military campaigns, religious controversies, and significant administrative reforms.
Symbolism and Propaganda:
 
Society During Constantius II’s Reign:
Constantius II’s reign was a period of significant transformation and reform. Despite the ongoing military and political challenges, the economy and daily life continued, with coins like this one playing a crucial role in facilitating commerce and propagating the emperor’s image and achievements.
 
The Maiorina of Constantius II minted during the FEL TEMP REPARATIO series is a valuable artifact from a critical period in Roman history. The coin's design, with its potent symbols and legends, served not only as a medium of exchange but also as a tool of imperial propaganda, reinforcing Constantius II’s image as a pious, victorious, and benevolent ruler. Understanding the context and significance of such coins provides valuable insights into the political, economic, and social dynamics of the Roman Empire during the mid-4th century.
 
The story behind your coin:
 
A Bright New Start in Rome (AD 317–318)
At the busy Roman mint, skilled workers prepared flans of bronze, then carefully placed them between two dies. With a crisp strike, your coin is born—featuring the powerful profile of Constantine I on the obverse, wearing a radiate and laurel wreath, and the radiant deity Sol Invictus on the reverse, standing left with his right hand raised and globe in his left. The inscription SOLI INVICTO COMITI (“To the Unconquered Sun, Companion [of the Emperor]”) proclaimed the divine protection that Constantine still officially acknowledged at this stage in his rule.
 
Fresh from the Mint—The Emperor’s Propaganda
With Christianity on the rise and old pagan traditions still entrenched, Constantine straddled both worlds. This coin’s depiction of Sol Invictus served as propaganda, linking the emperor’s power to the Sun God’s might while also hinting at Constantine’s personal brand of monotheism. Newly struck, your coin likely shone with a slight coppery sheen before developing its dark patina over time.
 
First Circulation—Soldiers & Civilians
Placed into a leather pouch with dozens of other coins, it might have paid wages to a Roman legionary stationed near the capital. Soldiers needed coins to buy everyday essentials—bread, olive oil, wine. Soon enough, the coin passed to a local merchant in exchange for fresh produce or a warm meal. It jangled in purses and clinked in the bustling markets near the Colosseum and along the Via Appia, a tangible link between the emperor’s image and the daily lives of his people.
 
Travel Beyond the Eternal City
Rome was a gateway to all corners of the empire. A merchant or courier could easily have carried your coin north to Mediolanum (Milan), across the Adriatic to Illyricum, or even further east toward Thessalonica. Perhaps it passed through a traveler’s hands as they ferried supplies to the frontiers or visited distant relatives. Bit by bit, the coin’s surfaces took on gentle wear, but Constantine’s regal portrait and Sol’s dynamic stance remained discernible.
 
Shifting Times—From Pagan to Christian Empire
As Constantine’s reign continued, he increasingly favored Christianity. Coins bearing Sol Invictus coexisted with emerging Christian symbols. Meanwhile, old coins stayed in circulation for years—even decades—gradually phasing out as new issues were minted. Yet, your coin persisted, bridging an era of monumental religious and cultural transformation.
 
Lost to History
Perhaps it slipped between wooden floorboards in a Roman villa or tumbled into soft earth outside a military camp. Over centuries, shifting ground and debris buried it deeper. Freed from the hustle of commerce, the coin spent countless years in silent darkness, the soil slowly conferring a rich patina.
 
Rediscovery in Modern Times
Fast-forward many centuries. Our archaeological team, probing ancient Turkish farmland, recovered a small trove of coins. Among them lay your follis, bearing the face of Constantine and the name of Sol. The faint inscriptions “IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG” and “SOLI INVICTO COMITI” served as a window into Constantine’s world—one foot in Rome’s pagan past, the other in an emerging Christian empire.
 
Cleaning & Cataloging
Our team has carefully cleaned, and the coin revealed impressive detail—judged a solid gVF (“good Very Fine”) by modern numismatists. Weighing about 3.3g and measuring 21 mm, it matched references in RIC 97 for the Rome mint. Enthusiasts admired its crisp legends and laurel-wreathed portrait, seeing in it the skill of 4th-century die-engravers.
 
A Precious Historical Artifact
Today, your coin stands as a tangible fragment of Constantine’s reign, linking the old sun-worship traditions to the dawn of Imperial Christianity. Much like Rome itself—blending tradition with transformation—this coin is a small but potent reminder of an age when emperors, gods, and ideas shaped the Western world for centuries to come.
 
From the minting rooms of ancient Rome to the modern collector’s cabinet, your Constantine I follis testifies to the empire’s transitional era, when the Unconquered Sun still ruled official iconography and a new faith was on the horizon. Each subtle detail and bit of wear tells the story of hands long gone, roads long faded, and the enduring legacy of one of history’s most pivotal emperors.