Bronze Follis Emperor Constantine II (337-340 AD | Constantinian Dynasty)
- Genuine Original: around 1,700 years old
- Imperial History: Emperor of the West
- Emperor Portrait: with laurel wreath
- Genuine OriginalNo restrike, but real Roman currency
- Imperial HistoryMinted under the eldest son of Constantine the Great
- Emperor PortraitBust in profile, often soldiers on the reverse
- Genuine Original: around 1,700 years old
- Imperial History: Emperor of the West
- Emperor Portrait: with laurel wreath
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Ancient original · The Constantinian dynasty
Follis of Constantine IIAbout 1,700 years old.
Under Constantine the follis became smaller and contained hardly any silver. The pieces of this era measure 20 mm, a follis of Diocletian 27 mm.
- Ruler
- Constantine IIAD 337 to 340
- Diameter
- 20 mm
- Weight
- c. 2.2 g
Under Constantine the follis became smaller and contained hardly any silver. The pieces of this era measure 20 mm, a follis of Diocletian 27 mm.
- Ruler
- Constantine IIAD 337 to 340
- Diameter
- 20 mm
- Weight
- c. 2.2 g
The Constantinian dynasty · AD 306 to 363
The capital moves to the Bosporus.
Under Constantine Christianity became permitted and soon preferred, the capital moved to the Bosphorus, and the coinage moved with it: fewer gods, more standards, camps and victory signs. His sons divided the empire between them and went to war with each other.
The picture shows an example. The piece you receive may differ in detail.
At the same scale
Denarius, antoninianus, follis and solidus at the same scale
Three sizes are called follis here: about 27 mm in the tetrarchy, 20 mm under Constantine and his sons, 28 mm under Justinian.
TremissisJustinian I
16 mm
DenariusSeptimius Severus
c. 18 mm
FollisConstantine II
20 mmthis page
SolidusHeraclius
20 mm
AntoninianusValerian I
21 to 23 mm
1 eurofor comparison
23.25 mm
FollisDiocletian
27 mm
FollisJustinian I
28 mmWhere it belongs
31 originals from about 1,100 years
Each piece stands at the years of its ruler or of its type. The era of this piece is highlighted; choose another one to see its originals.
The Constantinian dynasty AD 306 to 363 · 3 originals
Follis of Constantine IAD 306 to 337
Follis of Constantine IIAD 337 to 340this page
Follis of ConstansAD 337 to 350
Keeping it
First things first: do not clean it.
The dark layer on bronze and the matte grey on silver are called patina. It has grown over centuries and protects the surface. Polishing it away takes that protection from the piece.
- Hold it by the edgeSkin oil can etch itself permanently into the surface. Take the piece by the rim between thumb and forefinger, over a soft surface.
- Store each piece on its own, and dryKeep each piece on its own in a dry place, in a capsule or an acid-free case. PVC sleeves do not belong there, they attack the surface.
- No agents, no polishing clothNo vinegar, no silver cloth, no ultrasound. According to the Bank of Canada Museum, almost any attempt at cleaning without a conservator leaves damage, mostly from abrasion.
Struck about 1,700 years ago.
Constantine II and his world are long gone. The piece has remained, with the traces of its circulation.
Bronze Follis of Emperor Constantine II – World History That Fits in the Palm of Your Hand
Around 1,700 years old, 2.2 grams in weight, 20 millimeters in diameter. This bronze follis was once an entirely ordinary means of payment in the Roman Empire: it changed hands in marketplaces, was paid out to legionaries, and jingled in the pouches of merchants between Trier and Antioch. Minted under Constantine II, the eldest son of Constantine the Great. Whoever holds it is holding an original Roman coin – no restrike, no modern copy, but a genuine testament to Late Antiquity.
Constantine II: The Son Who Reached for Power Too Soon
Flavius Claudius Constantinus was born in February 316 in Arelate, present-day Arles. As early as 317 – when he was still a small child – his father raised him to the rank of Caesar, or sub-emperor. Growing up in the shadow of the most powerful man of the ancient world, he governed Gaul, Britain, and Hispania from Trier. When Constantine the Great died in 337, his three sons assumed the title of Augustus and divided the empire among themselves. Constantine II received the West. But his hunger for power exceeded his patience: in 340, he fell in a fratricidal war against Constans near Aquileia. Three years of sole rule, an entire chapter of world history – and coins like this one that tell its story.
What Exactly Is a Follis?
The term derives from the Latin word for "pouch"; the ancient name for this denomination was simply Nummus. Originally, a follis weighed about ten grams and carried an extremely thin coating of silver over the bronze. Under Constantine the Great, the denomination was reduced in size and revalued several times – the late folles of the Constantinian dynasty are therefore compact, easy-to-handle bronze pieces. The specimens offered here originate precisely from this period.
The Facts at a Glance
Face value: Follis
Country / Origin: Roman Empire
Issuing ruler: Constantinus II (Emperor 337–340 AD)
Gross weight: 2.2 g
Diameter: 20 mm
Material: Bronze, fineness and fine weight vary
Year of issue, mint, and denomination: vary
Condition: These pieces are circulated currency and bear corresponding traces: darker patina, individual centering, nicks, wear, and in some cases weaker legend areas. This is precisely what constitutes their appeal. Since the year of issue, mint, and reverse variant may vary, the item delivered will differ from the picture shown – you receive an original, not a mass-produced item. We therefore ask for your understanding that the image in the shop serves as an example and may individually differ from the delivered item in terms of appearance and condition due to historical circumstances.
Series: History · Investment purpose: Collector's item
Design: GLORIA EXERCITVS – The Glory of the Army
The obverse shows the laureate bust of the ruler in profile facing right, surrounded by the imperial legend. Many specimens of this era carry the inscription GLORIA EXERCITVS on the reverse – two helmeted soldiers with spear and shield, with the military standards between them. One of the most successful iconographic formulas of Late Antiquity, struck throughout the empire because it perfectly captured the alliance between the imperial house and the army. As this is circulated currency, the mint, legend details, and patina differ from piece to piece. Chips at the edge, off-center strikes, and a naturally developed green-brown patina are entirely normal for ancient coins – they are not flaws, but evidence of authenticity and use.
Who This Follis Is Suited For
For beginners seeking an affordable entry into ancient numismatics
For collectors of Roman coins who wish to complete the Constantinian dynasty
As a gift with real substance – hands-on history lessons
As a historical complement to modern silver coins and bars in one's own holdings
Coins are witnesses to history, not merely objects. This follis has outlasted emperors, wars, and the fall of a world empire.
Ancient Bronze Compared to Modern Bullion Coins
A modern silver or gold bar derives its value from the metal itself, from precisely defined fineness and current daily valuation. With ancient coins, it's different: here, history, condition, design, and rarity matter. The bronze follis is therefore explicitly a collector's item, not a classic investment product – but in return, it offers something no newly minted year of issue can provide: an unbroken connection to the Romans of the fourth century. Those who combine both gain collector's enjoyment and tangible-asset thinking under one roof.
For coin history shows one thing unmistakably: paper currencies have come and gone, empires have crumbled, yet precious metal has endured. Gold is humanity's oldest currency and has outlived all others – a thought that holds true both for inflation hedging and for crisis protection. This small lump of bronze from the era of Constantine II is a reminder of this in its own quiet way. It is offered as a fixed-price item and is, of course, delivered to you via insured shipping.
Product depiction may differ from the final product.
