CONSTANTIUS II GOLD SOLIDUS – EYES TO HEAVEN TRICENNALIA ISSUE OF CONSTANTINOPLE – NGC MS ROMAN IMPERIAL COIN (Inv. 21568)
$6,750.00
*** CONSTANTIUS II’s TRICENNALIA WITH “EYES TO GOD” PORTRAIT ***
21568. ROMAN EMPIRE. CONSTANTIUS II, AD 337–361.
Gold Solidus, 4.37 g, 21 mm. Issue of Constantinople, struck while serving as Augustus, ca. AD 351-355.
Obv. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Constantius II slightly right, holding spear and shield with horseman device. Rev. GLORIA REI PVBLICAE, Roma and Constantinopolis enthroned, facing each other, supporting shield inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX, CONS in exergue.
RIC VIII 96.
NGC MS, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, Tricennalia issue of Constantius, with a stunning portrait of the emperor.
The idealized portrait of Constantius II on this coin is executed in a particularly refined style, with a beautiful and classicizing expression. The emperor is depicted with his head turned slightly to the right and his eyes looking upward. Although this upward gaze is often described as “eyes to God” in recognition of the acceptance of Christianity by Constantius’ father, Constantine the Great, who first employed it on coins, it is also thought to reflect a Roman imperial penchant for aping the style of Alexander the Great. Alexander was well known for the slight turn and tilt of his head and for an upward gaze indicative of his endless desire for conquest. An “Alexandrine” interpretation of the gaze seems most appropriate for a portrait in which Constantius II is depicted armed and ready for war.
