Nummus - Constantius II SPES REIPVBLICE, Thessalonica

The SPES REIPVBLICE issue belongs to the final coinage reform of Constantius II, introduced after the FEL TEMP REPARATIO series had so thoroughly flooded the western mints that small bronze was effectively worthless by weight. Thessalonica's output during 355–361 coincides precisely with the usurpation and defeat of Magnentius and the subsequent consolidation of sole rule — the mint was politically important enough that Constantius kept it under tight imperial control throughout.

RIC VIII 215 carries the TSB or TESA officina marks depending on die pairing; collectors should verify the exergue carefully against OCRE's die records before assigning a specific emission.