Rare Claudius II Gothicus MEMORIAE AETERNAE Commemorative Struck by Constantine

Description

Constantine the Great Posthumous Issue of Claudius II Gothicus
This is a rare and interesting little coin, a half nummus (17 mm.) struck by Constantine the Great, in 317-318 AD, in honor of Emperor Claudius II Gothicus (268-270 AD), nearly a half century after Claudius' death.  Constantine issued several small commemorative bronzes to honor Claudius II, Maximianus and his father, Constantius I, as his ancestors and benefactors.  The reverse Latin legend proclaims
"In honor of everlasting memory"
.
This is interesting because it does not appear that Constantine was related to Claudius II.  In a move of calculated imperial propaganda, Constantine may have "invented" his relationship to the deified Claudius.  Constantine may have done this because his own roots were ordinary (his mother Helena was a bar maid) and an imperial ancestor, not to mention one who had been deified, would lend "gravitas" to Constantine's name and position.  Claudius was popular with the legions because of his victories against the Goths (hence his nickname "Gothicus") and, it is speculated, not much was known about him since he only reigned for two years.  Finally, in Constantine's time, Claudius had no living descendants who could question Constantine's claim.
This type, featuring the eagle on the reverse, the symbol of an emperor who had been deified, was struck only at the Rome mint.  This is a very nice example for the type with good details on both sides, an attractive green and black patina.  It is also full-centered with complete legends on both sides.  At 2.80 grams, it is about 30% heavier that the typical flange.  This type is listed as
"Rarity 3"
in RIC.
(Diameter: 16 mm.      Weight: 2.80 grams)
OB:
Laureate and veiled head of Claudius II Gothicus, right - DIVO CLAVDIO OPT IMP
REV:
Eagle, with spread wings, standing right, head left - MEMORIAE AETERNAE
This coin was struck at the Rome mint in 317-318 AD with the mint mark R S.  It comes in a 2x2 flip fully attributed as RIC, Vol. VII, #112.  It is listed as
"Rarity 3"
in RIC.
Historical and Rare Coin
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