follis 317-337 n. Chr. GLORIA EXERCITVS of Constantine II as Caesar, 317-337 AD, Thessalonica, Roman Empire

CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right / GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, two soldiers holding spears and shields with two standards between them. Mintmark SMTSB. 19mm, 2.59 grams. Mint of Thessalonica.

Constantine II was the eldest son of Constantine the Great and became emperor upon his father's death in 337 CE, sharing rule with his brothers Constantius II and Constans. He governed Gaul, Britain, and Hispania and initially acted as guardian to his younger brother Constans. Disputes over territory soon arose, and in 340 Constantine invaded Italy in an attempt to seize Constans's lands. The campaign ended disastrously when he was ambushed and killed near Aquileia. His brief reign was overshadowed by the dynastic struggles among Constantine the Great's sons that followed the founder's death.