CONSTANTINE II, Caesar Makes Vows To Gods & People, Imperial Roman Coin, 324 AD

Description

CONSTANTINE II, Caesar 317-337, Augustus 337-40
Constantine, Junior
was the eldest of Constantine the Great’s surviving sons.  He was proclaimed Caesar at the age of one, took part in his father's military campaigns by the age of seven, and attained acclaim as a military officer by the age of 16.  Upon Constantine I's death in 337 A.D., three of his son’s jockeyed for power as co-emperors. When the dust settled,
Constantine, Jr
was miffed because he didn’t think he had gained the status (read amount of land and resources to rule) that a first-born should have.  Starting out with a realm that consisted of Gaul, Britannia, and Hispania,
Constantine
first turned to the youngest brother,
Constans
, and demanded parts of northern Africa and Italy.  He led troops to act on this in 340 A.D., but was killed in battle after which Constans took control of his deceased brother’s domain.
VOTA
The coin is of the
VOTA
type.  "
VOTA"
type coins are vota and represent a vow made to a god in order to obtain a divine favor stipulated in advance.
T
he wreath types are very common and, like the altar with inscription types, were issued on the occasion of the emperor paying his vows every fifth or tenth anniversary of the beginning of his reign. The vows were a money sacrifice paid to the gods (later in the Catholic Church) in thanks for the last few years (usually 5 or 10) and to ensure that the emperor would have a good reign during the next stretch of years (usually from 5 to 30 years).
This coin was minted in the
ancient Roman capital city of
Thessalonica
.
Here are its attributes:
CONSTANTINE II (as Caesar),  AE Silvered Follis (17-18 mm, 2.82 gm)
OBV:
CCONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left
REV:
CAESARVM NOSTRORVM around VOT X within wreath
EXE:   TSBVI     Thessalonica mint     RIC 128    324 A.D.
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