ticketsMember | Make a donation

Gold Solidus of Constantine II

337–361
Not on view
This coin was struck in Rome, probably in the year 353 by Constantius II, one of the four sons of Constantine the Great. Constantius II ruled the Eastern half of the empire from 337 to 353, when he became ruler of the entire empire upon the death of his brother Constans (350) and the defeat of the usurper Magnentius (353). He is remembered for his support of Arianism (a Christian sect that had been declared heretical at the Council of Nicaea in 325), and for his construction of the original Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, which Justinian would rebuild on a grander scale 200 years later.

Constantius is shown on this coin in a new portrait style, at a three-quarter angle. He wears military dress, holding a lance and a shield. On the shield is shown a sunburst motif.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Gold Solidus of Constantine II
  • Date: 337–361
  • Culture: Byzantine
  • Medium: Gold
  • Dimensions: Overall: 13/16 x 1/16 in. (2 x 0.1 cm)
  • Classification: Coins
  • Credit Line: Gift of Darius Ogden Mills, 1904
  • Object Number: 04.35.18
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Bowl Fragments with Menorah, Shofar, and Torah Ark, Glass, gold leaf, Roman
Bowl Fragments with Menorah, Shofar, and Torah Ark
Roman
300–350
Crossbow Brooch, Gold, Late Roman or Byzantine
Crossbow Brooch
Late Roman or Byzantine
ca. 430
Bow Brooch, Silver with gold-sheet overlay and garnets, East Germanic
Bow Brooch
East Germanic
400–450
Wing Brooch, Silver, gold, and four carnelians, Roman
Wing Brooch
Roman
100–200
Gold Solidus of Julian (361–63), Gold, Byzantine
Gold Solidus of Julian (361–63)
Byzantine
361–363

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.