Follis - Constantius II FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Lugdunum

The FEL TEMP REPARATIO ("happy times are returning") series was launched in 348 AD to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of Rome's founding, but the slogan aged poorly almost immediately. By 353, when Lugdunum was striking these pieces, Constantius II had just defeated the usurper Magnentius — whose own mint at Lugdunum had been prolific — and was busy consolidating sole control of the empire for the first time. The fallen horseman type struck at this mint in these years carries that political urgency in its production volume.

Lugdunum issues from RIC VIII 189 are distinguished by their officina marks. Worth checking against the full RIC VIII census, as die links between this issue and late Magnentian production have been documented.