Coin, Roman Empire, Constantine II (as Caesar).Small module (perhaps Half) Follis, Lyons mint (AD 335), copper alloy. Obverse: laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left; reverse: two soldiers facing inwards, each holds spear and shield, one standard between (RIC VII 271).

Ancient Roman Mint located in Gaul (now modern day Lyon France), operating from the first century B.C to the early fifth century A.D.There were some gaps in this time period, especially in the third century.  The Mint operated under such pivotal reigns as Caesar Augustus, Gaius (Caligula), Nero, Diocletian, and Constantine. During the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, and Gaius, the Mint struck gold and silver coins, and it released copper allow pieces through the reigns of Nero and the Flavians. Lyon Mint provides a fascinating look into the ancient world. Its coins not only have strong ties to the Roman Empire and Gaul, i.e. modern-day France, but also with Britain. Lugdunum's coinage usually presents a very careful style as well as original (there are several designs of bust own of this mint that are not found in the others) that make it quite appreciated by collectors. At first the imperial mint only struck follis (with silver alloy and without it), later, in 340, also embarks on the coinage of gold and silver, especially the latter one and not precisely in small quantities: reason why the silver siliquas, especially the types with laurea on the reverse, are not rare nowadays. During the last decades of the first century B.C., a certain number of decisions made by Augustus, the first emperor (27 B.C. - 14 A.D.) gave rise to the rapid growth of Lugdunum. Augustus divided Celtic Gaul into three provinces: Lyon, Belgium and Aquitaine.The ancient city of Lugdunum corresponds to the present Lyon, the great city of the French southeast.Lugdunum became the capital of the province of Lyon. The city was the site of administrative services shared by several provinces. It also became the headquarters of a major coin workshop that minted money for the whole empire. Agrippa, the son-in-law of Augustus, who was appointed by the Emperor to establish a roadway system, placed Lugdunum at the center of the Gallic network.

Lugdunum Mint

Lyon, Rhône, Rhône-Alpes, France, Europe

86/809-46 Coin (1 of 50), possibly Half Follis, Constantine II (324-337), copper alloy, minted at Lyons Mint, France, Roman Empire, 335

Bronze coins slightly washed with silver, first introduced as part of the coinage reforms of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (AD 295-8).

POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Roman Empire Follis coin

Object No. 86/809-46

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