Description
Lugdunum, 407-408 AD. AU solidus, 3.36 gr., 18 mm.
Obv.: D N CONSTANTINUS P F AUG; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantine III to the right.
Rev.: VICTORIA AUGGGG; Constantine standing to the right, holding labarum in his right hand and Victory on globe in his outstretched left, trampling on captive to the left; in fields: L D, in exergue: COMOB.
Ref.: RIC 1507; Depeyrot 20/3.
Extremely rare. Probably ex jewelry, clipped. Very Fine.
From the Garth R. Drewry collection. Ex E. Waddel; ex F. Robinson MBS 8-1990, lot 476A; ex CNG e125 (Lancaster 2005), lot 295.
Following the assassinations of the usurpers Marcus and Gratianus, Constantine III was proclaimed emperor by the Roman legions in Britain. Hoping to ensure his own position, he sailed to Gaul where he met little opposition. Although a common Roman soldier before being raised to the purple, Constantine III proved to be a competent ruler He defeated the invading bands of barbarians and negotiated agreements with the Alamanni and Burgundians. He managed to assert control over Gaul and Hispania and made Arelate, modern Arles, his capital. Aftewr some struggle, Constantine was officially recognized by Honorius from 409 AD onward, but the Eastern emperors Theodosius and Arcadius failed to follow Honorius’ lead. Constantine in turn raised his own oldest son to co-emperor as Constans II.
However, Constantine III was a bit over-ambitious and his attempt to enter Italy failed. Attacked by his own general Gerontius and eventually the troops of Honorius, Constantine was killed in 411 AD. The solidus below was struck early in the reign when there were four associate rulers, Constantine III, Honorius, Arcadius and Theodosius II, as advertised by the four G’s in AUG on the reverse.
