Emperor: Constans; Denomination: reduced AE2; Metal: bronze; Reign

Emperor: Constans; Denomination: reduced AE2; Metal: bronze; Reign: 337-350; Minted 348-350; Weight: 4.6 g; Diameter: 22 mm. Obverse: pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding globe in right hand; legend D N CONSTANS P F AVG. Reverse: helmeted, draped and cuirassed soldier advancing right, head left, leading a small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath a tree with right hand and holding spear pointed downward in left; legend FEL TEMP REPARATIO; exergue ANTΓ (Antioch). Strike: well-centered, moderate relief. Toning: dark brown patina with lighter rub on high points. References: RIC VIII Antioch 126; LRBC 2635; Sear RCV 18730. The FEL TEMP REPARATIO series, introduced in 348, formed part of a wider reform aimed at unifying bronze coinage types across all imperial mints while conveying messages of restored prosperity. The “hut” reverse, struck for Constans at Antioch, alludes to Roman victories and the pacification of frontier peoples, echoing themes of rescue and renewal promoted by the Constantinian dynasty. Produced during the final years of Constans’ reign, this reduced AE2 exemplifies the period’s down-sizing of flans and continued reliance on symbolic imagery to reinforce imperial legitimacy throughout the eastern provinces.