337AD Constans AE F

 

SKU: 350ADConstansAEF

 

Scarce Thessalonica 4th Officina issue of Constans, an appealing late Roman AE follis featuring the enduring “two soldiers, two standards” reverse type. Struck circa AD 337-350, this well-preserved bronze combines strong historical resonance with the added collector interest of a less frequently encountered officina designation.

The obverse presents a right-facing, laureate and draped bust of Constans, with the imperial legend encircling the portrait in the familiar late Roman style. The reverse depicts two soldiers standing facing one another, each holding spear and shield, flanking two military standards at center, a design closely associated with the FEL TEMP REPARATIO-era military and imperial reform coinages, though here rendered in the established camp-gate and army-focused visual language of the Constantinian period. In the exergue and mint markings, this piece is attributable to the Thessalonica mint, 4th officina, an important detail for specialists assembling mint and officina varieties.

The piece displays dark olive-charcoal surfaces with honest ancient patina and pleasing overall definition for the issue. Central devices remain clear, with Constans’ portrait retaining recognizable facial detail and the reverse composition fully appreciable, including both soldiers and standards. Legends are somewhat softened in areas, as expected for the type, but enough remains visible to support confident attribution. The surfaces appear stable and problem-free in the manner collectors seek for certified late Roman bronze.

Constans, youngest son of Constantine the Great, ruled during a turbulent phase of the 4th century as the Roman Empire continued its political, military, and religious transformation. Bronze folles of his reign offer collectors an accessible and historically rich entry into the Constantinian and post-Constantinian era, a period that remains one of the most actively collected fields in ancient numismatics. Thessalonica, one of the empire’s principal Balkan mints, produced a substantial output, yet individual officina combinations remain of particular interest to advanced students of the series.

The 4th officina attribution adds a desirable layer of specialization beyond a standard type coin. Officina-marked Roman bronzes have long attracted collectors building detailed mint sets, and scarcer workshop emissions can prove notably elusive in pleasing certified examples. This is an especially appealing coin for those pursuing Constans, Thessalonica mint issues, or late Roman military reverse types.

A historically important and collectible bronze of Constans, this Thessalonica 4th officina follis offers strong type representation, attractive ancient patina, and meaningful specialist appeal.

 

PCGS #
Grading Service	NONE
Grade	NONE
Mint Location
Year
Designation
Strike
Grade Add On	NONE