Roman Empire – AE Centenionalis of Constantius II (
Emperor with two labara. The labarum (Greek: ??ßa???) was a vexillum (military standard), which depicts the Chi-Rho symbol ?, formed by the first two Greek letters of the word "Christ" (Greek: ???S??S, of ???st??) – Chi (?) and Rho (?). According to another tradition they are the Greek equivalents of the first letters of the Latin Christus Rex (Christ (is) King). It was presumably first used by Constantine the Great. As the vexillum consisted of a flag hung from the transom of a cross, it was ideally suited to symbolise the crucifixion of Christ.Denomination: Maiorina Condition:Very FineSize:25 mm, exceptional size.Weight:4.56 grams.Period: 350 A.D.Minting location: Siscia.Exergue:.ASIS*Obverse: DN CONSTANTIUS PF AVG, bust with diadem, facing right with star at the front and an A at the back. Constantius as Augustus.Reverse side: CONCORDIA MILITVM, emperor with two labara. Unity of the army.Reference: RIC VIII 280 rare.Flavius Julius Constantius (7 August November 361)Constantius was born in Sirmium, in Illyricum, as the second son of Constantine and Fausta. On 13 November 324, he was appointed Caesar by his father. Around 335 he married his first wife, the daughter of his uncle Julius Constantius, half sister of his cousin Julian the Apostate.When Constantine died in May 337, Constantius was quick to grab as much power as possible. He was probably the driving force behind the eradication of half of the males in his family.In 355 Constantius appointed his cousin Julian to Caesar, and sent him to Gallia. However, he was so successful there, his troops named him emperor in 360. A civil war was averted by the (natural) death of Constantius in November 361.Please see the images for your own impression. Read More