Skip to main content

Gold solidus of Constans II, Constantinople, 654-59

Discover some of the coins in the Winchester Cabinet, a collection of over 3000 ancient coins, medals and tokens collected by William Eyre, an eighteenth-century barrister, held by Leeds Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_MED_ANG_MER_1_obverse
Pierced silver penny of King Offa of Mercia by Lul found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, Leeds University Library
More
CC_WC_MOD_ENG_2_obverse
Gold Angel of Charles I found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_ROM_REP_171_obverse
Silver denarius by Lucius Hostilius Saserna found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_ROM_IMP_18_obverse
Gold aureus of Hadrian found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_ANC_BRI_1_obverse
Gold Gallo-Belgic Stater, Ambiani tribe, Picardy found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_MOD_ENG_TOK_1_obverse
Copper halfpenny token, Robert Wright, Alfreton found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_ANC_GRE_2_obverse
Silver tetradrachm, Athens, found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_MOD_ENG_SIE_1_obverse
Silver Shilling of Charles I, Pontefract Castle,found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_BYZ_2_obverse
Gold solidus of Constans II, Constantinople, found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_MED_ANG_ENG_1_obverse
Silver penny of Harold II, Canterbury, found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_MOD_ENG_1_obverse
Gold Fine sovereign of Mary I, London, found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_MDL_1_obverse
White metal medal by Bennett of Sarum, found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_ANC_GRE_1_obverse
Silver tetradrachm in the name of Alexander III, Macedonia, found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More
CC_WC_ROM_REP_337_obverse
Silver denarius of Julius Caesar, found in the Coin Collection at Special Collections, University of Leeds Library.
More

The solidus replaced the Roman aureus in the early fourth century and became the standard high-value coin throughout the Mediterranean world for centuries. The reverse lettering CONOB means that this coin was struck at Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul, from refined gold, "obryzum". The letters OB may also represent the Greek number 72, as there were 72 solidi to the Roman pound.

The obverse of this coin shows a double portrait of Constans II alongside his son Constantine IV, whom he made co-emperor. Like many emperors, Constans met an unfortunate end as he was assassinated while taking a bath.