
From The "BCE" Collection (Barbarians, Captives & Enemies on Roman Coins): A scene depicting Constantius, triumphant with a standard bearing Christian symbolism standing over two defeated and bound captives of distinctively Eastern/Persian appearance (Sassanid or Parthian).
Constantius II AE Maiorina (4.79g). Antioch mint, 348-350 AD.
Obverse: DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust left, holding globe in right hand.
Reverse: FEL TEMP REPARATIO / Star (left) / ANЄ (exergue). Constantius II in military garb standing left, spurning a captive with foot while holding standard, a cross decorating its banner, and resting hand on shield set on ground. To left, two bearded captives kneeling vis-à-vis, wearing Phrygian caps, hands bound behind their backs.
References: RIC (VIII) 125; LRBC 2614.
Pedigree: Ex-Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. e-Auction 10, Lot 592 (Frankfurt 18 Jan 2020)
Video available of this coin in hand (1st coin shown, along with two others) & additional photographs.
Numis. Notes: Alt. term: Labarum or Vexillum.
Hist. Notes: A remarkable scene, apparently portraying not only the conquest of the Empire over its Eastern enemies -- typical of the FEL TEMP REPARATIO series as well as the previous century and a half of Roman Imperial coinage -- but also the triumph of the newly-favored Christian religion over non-Roman, non-Christian Pagans. Constantine was famously the first Christian Roman Emperor, but the popularity and political supremacy of the new religion were not yet achieved. In the long history of European Imperial propaganda using Christianity to justify attacking foreigners and political enemies, this coin is surely among the first.