The notion of the tetrachy, with imperially appointed caesars in place of hereditary successors, put a lid on the common practice of Roman emperors honoring sons and other family members on their coinage. That practice changed during the truce between Constantine and Licinius following their first civil war in 316. Each ruler appointed his sons as caesar. Licinius had one son, Licinius II, who was 3 years old at the time. Constantine had two sons: Crispus, the eldest, was 14, and Constantine II was a new-born infant. Each ruler acknowledged the others' sons as caesar and the sons were soon appointed consuls and given other offices, despite their ages.

Neither eldest son was a product their fathers' official, imperial unions. Crispus was born before Constantine ever ascended to power, in 303. It is not clear whether Constantine was ever married to his mother, Minervina, who does not appear to be from a politically significant family. Licinius II was born to a concubine in 313. Constantine II (and Constantine's remaining children) were children of Fausta, the daughter of Maximianus, who Constantine married when he proclaimed himself augustus.

The celators at the mints had varying conventions for portraying small children. The first coin on this page has a wonderfully representative child-like portrait. This is the exception, though. Often the young caesar has a more or less teen-age portrait—connoted especially by a lack of beard—and other times, they simply reduce the size of the portrait.

104-532

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Licinius II caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Arelate, 317

obv.- VAL LICINIUS NOB CAES;

rev.- IOVI CONSERVATOR; T ARL in ex

RIC VII Arl 128; Fail 278b

20mm; 3.9g; nummus

This coin, issued by Constantine the Great for the son of his rival Licinius in 317, was minted in Arelate (now in Southern France). The obverse shows Licinius II as a young man—which he was at the time, as he was three years old!

The reverse shows Jove running right, with the legend used on virtually all of the bronze coins issued by Licinius himself, and shows his allegiance to the traditional Gods of Rome. It is also a theme harkening back to the days of the Tetrarchy, when Diocletian claimed to be under the special protection of Jove. However, this coin has a very different portrail of Jove than what is typical of Licinius' coinage: Jove is show running right, throwing a thunderbolt. This is thus an unusual coin and a difficult reverse to find in any grade.

104-550

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Licinius II caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Siscia, 320

obv.- LICINIVS IVN NOB CAES; Licinius II, in consular robes, laureate bust left, holding a Victory that seems to be crowning him with laurels.

rev.- VIRTVS EXERCIT; Standard inscribed VOT X; two captives std; S|F, HL (ligature) in fields, Δ-SIS star-in-crescent in ex

RIC VII Sis 132; Fail 319.

20mm; 3.2g; AE3

104-530

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Licinius II caesar

—struck by Licinius I

Antioch, 317-320

obv.- DN VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C; Consular bust left holding mappa and globe

rev.- IOVI CONSERVATORI CAESS; Jupiter stg left holding Victory and sceptre, captive at feet; SMANT in ex, epsilon in field

RIC VII Ant 29

19mm; 3.1g; AE3

listed as R2 in RIC

204-275

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Licinius II caesar

—struck by Licinius I

Heraclea, 318-320

obv.- DN VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C; Laureate draped bust left in imperial mantle holding scepter in left hand, mappa in right hand

rev.- PROVIDENTIAE CAESS; campgate with three turrets, five rows; • right, SMHΔ in ex.

RIC VII Her 31

20mm; 3.8g; nummus

204-276

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Licinius II caesar

—struck by Licinius I

Alexandria, 321-324

obv.- DN VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C; Helmeted bust left, holding spear and shield

rev.- IOVI CONSERVATORI; Jupiter stg l; r hand holds Victory standing on globe, left holds scepter; eagle stands on ground at l holding wreath in beak; captive on ground at right; X IIM in field; SMALA in ex

RIC VII Ale 30

19mm; 3.3g; nummus

204-172

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Crispus caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Treveri, 317

obv.- FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES; laureate draped cuirassed bust right

rev.- PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS; Prince, laureate, in military dress, standing right, cloak spread, holding transverse spear in right hand, globe in left hand; T F in fields, •ATR in ex

RIC VII Tr 141

20mm; 3.1g; nummus

204-278

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Crispus caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Treveri, 317

obv.- FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES; laur cuir draped bust right

rev.- CLARITAS REIPVBLICAE; Sol, radiate, standing facing, head left, chlamys across left shoulder, right hand raised, globe in left ; T|F in fields, •ATR in ex

RIC VII Tr 151

21mm; 2.9g; nummus

104-922

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Crispus caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Treveri, 317

obv.- FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES; laur cuir draped bust right

rev.- CLARITAS REIPVBLICAE; Sol, radiate, standing facing, head left, chlamys across left shoulder, right hand raised, globe in left ; T|F in fields, •ATR in ex

RIC VII Tr 151; Fail 271

21mm; 2.1g; nummus

This type was only used for Crispus and Constantine II, and was struck to commemorate their appointment as caesars

204-212

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Constantine II caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Treveri, 323

obv.- CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; Laureate half-length bust right, dressed as the High Priest of Sol; scepter in right hand, globe in left surmounted by radiate Sol standing facing, nude but for chlamys over left shoulder, right hand raise.

rev.- BEATA TRANQVILLITAS; Globe set on altar inscribed VO / TIS / XX, three stars above; . STR crescent in exergue

RIC VII Tr 409 [var]

20mm; 3.2g; nummus

Virtually unknown bust type that is not listed in RIC. Footnotes on RIC VII, p.200, mention two examples of RIC 409 with a similar, Sol-on-globe bust type. This example is unmistakeably Sol.

However, Alten and Zschucke do discuss this bust type [18r] specifically in their “Die Römische münzserie Beata Tranquillitas” :

Note to bust 18r:
This bust is only for Constantine II. The Caesar is wearing the garb of the chief priest of the Sol-cult. This is not the usual consular mantle, which is laid in folds over the arm, but a robe with sleeves. This is clear from the hand holding the scepter which is quite visible standing out from the left sleeve.

This portrayal suggests that at this time, Constantine I transferred the office of High Priest of the Sol-cult for political reasons to his second son. The Augustus wanted to demonstrate with this gesture his religious neutrality and gain the good graces of the Christian population, a growing portion of his empire.

(my translation, from original German text) They catalog this as no. 143, with maybe a dozen examples known. The example pictured in their book is neither an obverse nor reverse die match, so evidently enough of these were minted to warrant at least two dies. This is the only bust type—out of nearly 100 different varieties—in which the ruler is shown dressed as High Priest..

204-207

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Constantine II caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Thessalonica, 324

obv.- CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; laureate draped cuirassed bust left

rev.- CAESARVM NOSTRORVM; VOT • V within wreath, TSBVI in exergue

RIC VII Thess 128

19mm; 3.0g; nummus

Coinage of Licinius and Licinius II ends after 324, when Constantine defeated Licinius for good at the Battle of Chrysopolis and became sole emperor. Crispus was by this time an adult with important responsibilities: not only was he in charge of Gaul, but he served as an admiral in Constantine's fleet and won a key naval battle that helped set the stage for the decisive Chrysopolis victory. After the defeat of Licinius, Constantine's third son, Constantius II (aged 7), was appointed caesar. Constantine's fourth son, Constans, was born in 323 and appointed caesar in 333.

After Chrysopolis, Constantine also issued coins commemorating his female relatives: Helena, his natural mother; Fausta, his wife; and, rarely, his sister Constantia (who was married to Licinius). Crispus was executed in 326—reportedly set-up by his step-mother, Fausta, in a bid to secure supremacy for her own three sons. Fausta was executed shortly thereafter.

204-128

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Constantine II caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Trier, 324-325

obv.- CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left

rev.- PROVIDENTIAE CAESS; Campgate with six rows, two turrets, no doors, star above, top and bottom rows empty blocks STR in exergue

RIC VII Tr 455

18mm; 2.8g; nummus

204-127

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Constantius II caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Trier, 326

obv.- FL IVL CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left

rev.- PROVIDENTIAE CAESS; 'camp gate' (more likely a city gate') with no doors and two towers, star above; STRŮ in ex

RIC VII Tr 480

19mm; 2.4g; nummus

204-222

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Constantius II caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Ticinum, 324-325

obv.- FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; laureate draped cuirassed bust left

rev.- PROVIDENTIAE CAESS; campgate (6 layers) plus base and decorated pediment; two ornate turrets, star above; in ex.: Q-crescent-T

RIC VII Tic 201

19mm; 2.5g; nummus

204-169

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Constantine II caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Sirmium, 324-325

obv.- CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; Laureate draped cuirassed bust right

rev.- ALAMANNIA DEVICTA; Victory right, holding trophy and palm, foot on captive below; •SIRM• in ex

RIC VII Sirm 51

19mm; 2.9g; nummus

Struck to commemorate the victories won over by the Germans on the Rhine frontier by Constantine's sons, complementing the SARMAT DEVICTA type struck for Constantine, celebrating his victory over the Sarmatians. Struck only at Sirmium.

204-223

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Constantine II caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Antioch, 324-325

obv.- [none]; laureated head facing right - no legend

rev.- CONSTANTINVS CAESAR; SMANTS in ex

RIC VII Ant 54

mm; g; nummus

104-730

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Helena augusta

—struck by Constantine I

Ticinum, 325

obv.- FL HELENA AVGVSTA; Helena facing right

rev.- SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE; Helena standing left, holding branch; ST in ex

RIC VII Tic 190; Fail 357

19mm; 3.0g; AE3

204-265

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Fausta augusta

—struck by Constantine I

Rome, 326

obv.- FLAV MAX FAVSTA AVG; bust right with wavy hair, draped and jeweled

rev.- SPES REIPVBLICAE; Fausta holding a pair of her children; R-wreath-P in ex

RIC VII Rom 292

20mm; 3.0g; nummus

Rated R4 in RIC. Not common from Rome mint.

104-800

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Fausta augusta

—struck by Constantine I

Heraclea, 325

obv.- FLAV MAX FAVSTA AVG; draped bust rt

rev.- SPES REIPVBLICAE; Fausta holding a pair of her children

RIC VII Her 80; Fail 360

20mm; 3.3g; nummus

204-293

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Fausta augusta

—struck by Constantine I

Treveri, 324-325

obv.- FLAV MAX FAVSTA AVG; bust right with wavy hair, draped and jeweled

rev.- SPES REIPVBLICAE; Fausta holding a pair of her children; PTR in ex

RIC VII Tr 460

19mm; 2.6g; nummus

The founding of Constantinople in 330 led to new series of coins struck in the names of all his relatives, promoting the dynastic reach of his family. Late in his reign Constantine expanded this further when he promoted two male nephews. Delmatius was appointed caesar in the Balkans—perhaps to bring the number up to four and evoke the tetrarchy—while Hannibalianus was appointed King of Armenia, in a political gesture intended to provoke the Parthian empire. Both struck coins in the names of theiir respective offices.

When Constantine died in 337, the empire was divided among his three surviving sons. They quickly eliminated Delmatius and Hannibalianus, then turned on each other. Constantine II was next, in 340. Constans lasted until 350 as augustus in the west, while Constantius II reigned until 361. In addition to coins honoring their deceased and now deified father, the sons also struck a new series of coins honoring Helena, as mother of Constantine. Helena by now was an active and prominent Christian who would later be canonized by the Church. The empire at this time was rapidly became more Christianized, so Helena was undoubtedly a very popular matronly figure. Especially since their own mother, Fausta, was disgraced, tortured, and executed in 326 by Constantine himself.

Constans also struck coins honoring Theodora, Constantine's step-mother and second wife of Constantius I. This was somewhat curious as she had been dead for 30 years and was not even the sons' grandmother. It appears, though, that the coins were only struck in Treveri, in Gaul, which had been Constantius' capital, so perhaps she was still remembered well there and Constans thought it useful to evoke her name to bolster his own.

204-122

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Helena augusta

—struck by Constantine I

Constantinople, 330

obv.- FL IVL HELENAE AVG; Bust with ornamental mantle and necklace; hair elaborately dressed.

rev.- PAX PVBLICA; Pax stg. l. holding branch and transverse sceptre; in ex, CONSε

RIC VIII Cons 34

16mm; 1.6g; nummus

104-226

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Constantine II caesar

—struck by Constantius II

Antioch, 335 AD

obv.- CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; laureate cuirassed bust right

rev.- GLORIA EXERCITVS; two soldiers standing facing each other, each holding spear and leaning on shield; two standards standing between; SMANΘ in ex

RIC VII Ant 87

18mm; 2.2g; AE3

104-534

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Constans caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Siscia, 337

obv.- FL CONSTANTIS BEA C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Constans facing right

rev.- GLORIA EXERCITVS; Two soldiers standing facing, each holding a spear in their outer hand and holding one standard between them, BSIS* in exergue, christogram atop standard

RIC VII Sis 264; Fail 372

17mm; 1.72g; AE3

This obverse legend from Siscia only. Rated R4.

104-405

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Constantius II augustus

—struck by Constantius II

Constantinople, 337–361

obv.- DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG; draped diademed emperor bust left, holding globe

rev.- FEL TEMP REPARATIO; emperor walking left with two captives before, holding chi-rho banner; CONSθ* in ex

22mm; 3.3g; AE2 (centenionalis)

104-906

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Theodora augusta

—struck by Constantine II

Treveri, 337-340

obv.- FL MAX THEODORAE AVG; diademed draped bust right

rev.- PIETAS ROMANA; Pietas standing holding child in arms

RIC VIII Tr 91; Fail 385

16mm; 1.9g; AE4

104-455

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Delmatius caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Siscia, 335-337 AD

obv.- FL DELMATIVS NOB C; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust l

rev.- GLORIA EXERCITVS; BSIS in ex; two soldiers stg. facing each other holding spear and shield; in between, standard

RIC VII Sis 256; Fail 372

17mm; 1.5g; Bronze

204-254

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Hannibalianus caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Constantinople, 336-337

obv.- FL HANNIBALLIANO REGI; Bareheaded, draped and cuirassed of Hanniballianus bust right

rev.- SECVRITAS PVBLICA; The river-god Euphrates reclining right, urn at his side and reed in background, holding scepter; CONSS in ex

RIC VII Cons 148

17mm; 1.4g; nummus