The Roman Empire
Constans, 337 – 350
Medallion of four siliquae, Treveri 350, AR 11.38 g. FL IVL CONSTANS PIVS FELIX AVG Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. TRIVMFATOR – GENTI –VM BARBARARVM Emperor standing l., in military attire, holding standard with wreath; in exergue, T R. C 194. Gnecchi 20. Toynbee pl. XXXI, 10. RIC 145.
Extremely rare. An impressive medallion with a spectacular portrait,
minor cleaning marks, otherwise extremely fine Ex NAC sale 72, 2013, 775.

This extraordinary medallion of Constans bears an unusual obverse inscription with the imperial epithets Pius and Felix (dutiful and happy) being presented in full, rather than abbreviated as P.F. The imperial title Pius was first employed by Antoninus Pius, who earned it for his efforts to assure the consecration of his predecessor, Hadrian. Under Commodus the title Pius was first used in conjunction with Felix, a term representing happiness in the sense of the satisfaction gained from being prosperous or successful. After his reign the two titles became a popular formula and remained so in the West until the fall of Italy. However, in the East as early as the reign of Leo I (457-474), emperors began to mix the use of P.F. and some form of perpetuus, which described the coin issuer as emperor in perpetuity. Perpetuus usually was abbreviated P.P. or P.E., and by the early Byzantine era had replaced P.F. in coin inscriptions.