Most publications establish AD 347-48 as the timeframe that
Constans and Tius II’s produced the
VICTORIAE DD AVGG Q NN (Twin Vics With Wreaths) series. Only the
Fel Temp series (of the subsequent coinage reformation) rivals the sheer number of coins produced. I find it highly doubtful that 95% of these Twin Vic coins were struck in only two years and so I am currently doing the research to establish a more accurate time frame.
So far, looking at devices, officinas, and
field marks and the dates to which they are known to exist, I am finding evidence that these coins were produced for at least a couple of years prior to the accepted date of 347-8. But all aspects of the coin must be examined in order to form a reasonable hypothesis.
One clue is what victories are being celebrated on the
reverse? Some speculate that it is the reflection of just victories in general. Some believe its illustrating specific victories over Franks and Persians. Plus there are several variants of these two. One such variant can be eliminated by establishing whether or not ‘Tius II
had any hand in
his brother’s demise. (‘Tine II
had bad blood flowing with both
his bros.) This was the purpose of the original question posed.
On a tangent for Nike/Victory experts: Looking at this series but asking in general, when one of the victories is holding a
trophy, it is almost exclusively held by the left
nike. Is there a known reason for this or the right
nike never holding a
trophy?