Constantina - Arelatum (Arles|, France)

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In 328 Arelatum (Arelate) was renamed Constantina in honor of Constantine II. After Constantine II was killed in 340, the name reverted to Arelatum, only to be changed again in 354 to Constantina by Constantius II. It retained that name, although the mintmark 'AR ' appeared on some of its coins even in the fifth century.  Roman mint dates of operation: 313 - 475 A.D. Mintmarks: A, AR, ARL, CON, CONST, KON, KONSTAN.

Moneta Historical Research by Tom Schroer

CONSTANTINA (Arles, France - 43°41'N, 4°38'E) was the name of Arelate between 328 and 340, and again after 353. It was renamed in honor of Constantine II in 328, probably as a tribute to the twelve-year-old who was nominally in charge of the campaign which his father Constantine I waged against the Germans that year.  Constantine II was given the western part of the Empire after his father's death in 337, but discontent with his portion, he invaded Italy in 340 to challenge his brother Constans. He was killed in an ambush near Aquileia (q.v.) that same year, and his territories went to Constans, who promptly changed the name of the city back to its former name of Arelate (thus proving that the city was probably originally named for Constantine II rather than Constantine I, whom Constans would still be eager to honor).

Constans was killed in 350 in the revolt of Magnentius, who then took over the western part of the Empire and of course retained the name 'Arelate'. When Magnentius was in turn killed by the last surviving son of Constantine I, Constantius II, in 353, Arelate reverted to Constantina, and it retained that name for the remainder of the Roman period.  However, it would appear that the name 'Arelate' was not forgotten, as fifth-century gold issues and one silver issue of Constantine III used the letters "AR" in the mint-mark, although the bronze retained the letters "CON".

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ARELATE, a city in Gallia Narbonesis, now called Arles, and to this day a considerable town in Provence, being the See of an Archbishopric. Ansonius calls it Gallula Roma.

Pande duplex, Arelate, tuos blanda hospita Portus Gallula Roma --- --- [Open wide, Arelate, thy ports with friendly welcome, thou little Gallicised Rome.]

It is one of the six cities, to which the right of coining money was conceded, in the lower empire; whence coins of Constantine and others have for their mint-mark ARL. P. Arelatensium Prima, &c.--See Pitiscus and Rasche, who call Arelate a Roman colony; it is, how-ever, not included, as such, in the respective catalogs of Eckhel or Mionnet.

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