- Museum number
- 1928,0208.2
- Description
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Gold medallion. (whole)
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Bust representing Constantius I, right, wearing lion-skin headdress. (obverse)
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Constantius standing right, raising Britannia, left, from her knees; Victory standing, right, behind emperor, crowning him with a wreath. (reverse)
- Production date
- 297
- Dimensions
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Die-axis: 6 o'clock
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Diameter: 33 millimetres
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Weight: 26.84 grammes
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- The reverse of this five-aureus piece commemorates the reconquest of Britain by Constantius in AD 296.
On the obverse Constantius assumes the guise of Hercules, his divine patron. In Tetrarchic ideology the western emperors were assigned the divine patronage of Hercules while the eastern were assigned Jupiter. Hence the proliferation of coin reverses honouring Hercules and Jupiter as guardian gods or conservatores. This arrangement reflected the relationship of Diocletian to his colleagues; he retained legislative control of the empire while his colleagues undertook heroic labours on his behalf.
The reverse legend emphasises the pious duty of the emperors (the plural signified by the double G) in helping such a beleaguered province.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
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2021-2022 Aug - Oct, China, Suzhou Museum, 'Rome; City & Empire'
2021 13 Feb-15 Aug, Belgium, Tongeren, Gallo-Romeins Museum, 'Rome; City & Empire'
2018-2019 20 Sep-04 Feb, Canberra, National Museum of Australia, 'Rome; City &Empire'
2018 23 Feb – 22 Apr, Nashville, Frist Art Museum, 'Rome; City &Empire'
2013/14 21 Sep-5 Jan, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Roman Empire, Power And People
2014 25 Jan-27 Apr, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Roman Empire, Power and People
2014 17 May-31 August, Coventry, the Herbert Museum, Roman Empire, Power and People
2014/15 20 Sep-4 Jan, Manchester Museum, Roman Empire, Power and People
2015 24 Jan-5 May, The McManus, Dundee, Roman Empire, Power and People
2015 30 May - 13 Sep, Tyne and Wear Museum, Roman Empire, Power and People
2006 31 Mar-29 Oct, York, Yorkshire Museum, Constantine
1997 1 May-15 Oct, France, Valenciennes, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Trésors Archaéologiques du Nord de la France Dans les Musées Européens
- Acquisition date
- 1928
- Department
- Coins and Medals
- Registration number
- 1928,0208.2
