Constantius II Caesar / Campgate - Follis - 18mm
                         Heraclea mint 327-9 AD RIC 96

Unusual among these samples is this coin which retains a good
part of its original silver wash. Obverse legend FLavius IVLius
CONSTANTIVS NOBilis Caesar includes additional family
names. In general Roman coins issued early in a reign tend to use a more complex legend listing
more titles and names. Later issues often cut back to a shorter form and drop the additional
material. The reverse shows a campgate made of rows of stone blocks and topped with two
'turrets' which are best described as barbeque kettle shaped. Specialists in these coins show an
interest in such matters as the number of rows of block, the number of kettles and the positions of
stars (here above) and dots (here in left field). The mintmark SMH(gamma) includes a single letter
for the mint name between the designation Sacra Moneta and the workshop #3 gamma. Reverse
legend PROVIDENTIA CAESS seems to refer to the forethought of Constantine to provide Rome
with enough sons that the next generations of rulers would be assured. As it turned out, this son
would be the one that longest survived the family massacres ruling until 361 AD.