Constantine II Silver Siliqua

Monetary Context

The monetary system inherited by Constantine II was the product of extensive fiscal restructuring under Constantine I. Following the abandonment of Diocletian's debased argenteus, the imperial administration re-established regular silver striking in the 320s AD to provide a fractional silver complement to the gold solidus. The siliqua, taking its name from the carob seed (siliqua graeca) that served as a fractional weight benchmark, was valued at 1/24 of the gold solidus. Its theoretical weight standard was initially tied to 1/96 of a Roman pound (c. 3.40 grams), mirroring the old Nero-era denarius and Diocletianic argenteus, though surviving specimens demonstrate fluctuations between 3.0 and 3.4 grams before later fourth-century reductions. In monetary hierarchy, the siliqua operated between massive bronze base-metal folles and high-value gold solidi. Silver was not produced for everyday retail transactions but was primarily intended for state accounting, diplomatic gifts, and imperial donatives disbursed to military units and civil administrators on major imperial anniversaries and accessions.

Production and Mints

Siliquae struck in the name of Constantine II originated across a network of imperial mint workshops located primarily in the western provinces where he held direct administrative authority, though issues were also produced by collegial arrangement at eastern facilities. Constantine II ruled Gaul, Britannia, and Hispania from his primary residence at Augusta Treverorum (Trier), making the Treveri mint the most prolific source of his silver coinage. Significant issues were also produced at Arelate (Arles), Lugdunum (Lyon), Rome, and Siscia, with occasional companion emissions from Thessalonica, Constantinople, and Nicomedia during periods of imperial conferences. Mintmarks in the exergue meticulously identified the originating workshop, typically featuring the mint city abbreviation (such as TR for Treveri, CONST or ARL for Arelate, and SMN for Nicomedia), frequently accompanied by officina letters or control symbols like stars, wreaths, or crescents to trace bullion accountability and output quality.

Obverse Iconography

The obverse imagery of Constantine II silver siliquae reflects his progressive advancement through imperial rank. Struck during his childhood and early adulthood as Caesar (317-337 AD), initial portraits depict him youthful and beardless, facing right, adorned with a simple laurel wreath, a rosette diadem, or bareheaded. Following the death of Constantine I in May 337 AD and the subsequent division of the empire among his sons, Constantine II assumed the rank of Augustus. Issues from late 337 to 340 AD portray him with mature, idealized features wearing elaborate diadems composed of pearls or rosettes alternating with precious stones. The portraiture embodies the classicizing, serene Constantinian aesthetic, characterized by large upward-tilted eyes, neat rows of hair, and an absence of facial hair, reinforcing divine favor and imperial serenity over soldierly realism.

Reverse Designs

The reverse iconography of Constantine II's siliquae combines traditional military ideology with imperial commemoration. Prominent types include Victory advancing or standing, holding a wreath and palm branch, celebrating the pacification of Rhine frontiers and internal stability. Other reverses depict the emperor standing in military dress, holding a spear and standard (labarum) or globe, flanked by captives. A central and widespread category consists of votive wreaths enclosing inscriptions such as VOTIS V, VOTIS X, or VOT X CAES, recording vows offered by the state and army for the emperor's continued reign. In later issues as Augustus, personifications of Roma seated or Victoria writing on a shield appear. These reverse themes deliberately projected themes of victory, dynastic perpetuity, and divine protection to the military recipients who formed the principal audience for silver issues.

Legends and Inscriptions

Epigraphic formulas on siliquae carefully delineated Constantine II's shifting legal status and titles. During his period as Caesar, obverse legends regularly read CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES, or FL CL CONSTANTINVS IVN N C, abbreviating Flavius Claudius Constantinus Iunior Nobilissimus Caesar. Following his elevation to Augustus in September 337 AD, the formula shifted to CONSTANTINVS AVG or FL CL CONSTANTINVS AVG. Reverse legends were equally programmatic, including VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, VICTORIA CAESARVM, CONSTANTINVS CAESAR, or VIRTVS EXERCITVS, honoring imperial triumph and the virtue of the army. Votive inscriptions employed standard formulas like VOT V, VOT X, or CAESARVM NOSTRORVM arranged inside laurel wreaths, often complemented by precise exergual mint signatures identifying the mint and officina.

Types and Chronology

The typology of Constantine II siliquae falls into two principal chronological divisions. The first phase spans roughly 324 to 337 AD, beginning when Constantine I commenced substantial silver production following his victory over Licinius. These issues depict Constantine II as Caesar and feature votive types (notably VOTIS V and VOTIS X) struck predominantly at western mints such as Trier and Arles, alongside victory types commemorating campaigns against Germanic tribes. The second phase covers his brief reign as Augustus from September 337 AD until his death in an ambush near Aquileia during April 340 AD. Struck primarily at Treveri, these late siliquae bear Augustus titulature, showing diademed portraits and reverse types focused on shared imperial rule and military prowess. His sudden death terminated this series abruptly, leading to the assimilation of his western mints by his brother Constans.

Circulation and Monetary Role

Archaeological finds demonstrate that fourth-century silver coinage moved within distinct, restricted economic circuits compared to contemporary bronze nummi. Siliquae of Constantine II appear infrequently in single-loss excavations in civic contexts, reflecting their high intrinsic value and specialized fiscal purpose. Instead, they are found predominantly in military frontier zones along the Rhine and Danube, in British hoards, and in deposits associated with imperial administration centers in northern Gaul. Hoard evidence indicates that siliquae were often hoarded alongside earlier denarii, miliarenses, and later fourth-century siliquae, retaining value across decades due to their fine silver alloy. Because siliquae were often dispersed as imperial bonuses, soldiers and high-ranking functionaries held or melted them rather than circulating them widely in market transactions, maintaining them as secure reserves of liquid wealth.

References

1. Coinage in the Roman World. pp. 122-140
2. Fourth-Century Roman Silver Coinage: The Silver Siliquae. pp. 281-295
3. The Roman Imperial Coinage: Volume VII, Constantine and Licinius: A.D. 313-337. pp. 1-724
4. The Roman Imperial Coinage: Volume VIII, The Family of Constantine I: A.D. 337-364. pp. 1-605