Sirmium's mint had been dormant for years before Constantius II revived it in 351 AD, almost certainly in direct response to the usurpation of Magnentius in the west. Bringing a mint back online at Sirmium — a critical Danubian military hub — was a logistical and political decision: the emperor needed gold in volume, close to his troops, fast.
The 1½ solidus denomination itself is uncommon in fourth-century imperial output, produced in small quantities and almost certainly destined for high-value military donatives rather than general circulation. RIC VIII Sirmium 24 is accordingly rare.
Sirmium's mint had been dormant for years before Constantius II revived it in 351 AD, almost certainly in direct response to the usurpation of Magnentius in the west. Bringing a mint back online at Sirmium — a critical Danubian military hub — was a logistical and political decision: the emperor needed gold in volume, close to his troops, fast.
The 1½ solidus denomination itself is uncommon in fourth-century imperial output, produced in small quantities and almost certainly destined for high-value military donatives rather than general circulation. RIC VIII Sirmium 24 is accordingly rare.