CONSTAN-TIVS AVG, pearl-diademed head right / GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, two soldiers holding spears and shields with one standard between them Dot-dot to left and right of the banner top. Mintmark SMANZ. 16mm, 2.4 grams. Antioch mint. RIC VIII Antioch 54.

Constantius II was a Roman emperor and the second surviving son of Constantine the Great. He ruled the eastern part of the empire after his father’s death in 337 AD and eventually became sole emperor in 353 AD after a series of civil wars and family purges. Constantius spent much of his reign defending the empire against the Persians under Shapur II and dealing with internal rebellions and usurpers. A strong supporter of Arian Christianity, he became deeply involved in religious disputes within the Church, often attempting to impose theological unity across the empire. He died in 361 AD while marching against his cousin and successor Julian the Apostate.