AE Follis AE3, A.D. 346-350, Siscia, 19.2mm, 2.47g, 0°, RIC VIII 241.
Obv: DN CONSTANS P F AVG. Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO. Phoenix radiate, standing on rocky mound; ΓSIS and symbol in ex.
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Constans was Roman Emperor from 337 to 350. He was the third and youngest son of Constantine the Great and Fausta, his father's second wife. On 25 December 333, Constantine I elevated Constans to the rank of Caesar at Constantinople. With Constantine’s death in 337, Constans and his two brothers, Constantine II and Constantius II divided the Roman world between themselves, after first disposing of virtually all of the relatives of their father who could possibly have a claim on the throne. The army proclaimed them Augusti on September 9, 337.

At first, Constans was under the guardianship of Constantine II, and the original settlement saw Constans receiving prefectures of Italy and Africa. Soon Constantine II and Constans began quarrelling over which parts of the African provinces belonged to whom. This led to growing tensions between the two brothers, which were only heightened by Constans finally coming of age and Constantine refusing to give up his guardianship. In 340, Constantine invaded Italy. Constans, at that time in Dacia, sent a select and disciplined body of his Illyrian troops, stating that he would follow them in person with the remainder of his forces. Constantine was eventually trapped at Aquileia, where he died, leaving Constans to inherit all of his brother’s former territories – Hispania, Britannia and Gaul.

In the final years of his reign, Constans developed a reputation for cruelty and misrule. Offended by his homosexuality and openly favouring his select bodyguard, he lost the support of the legions. In 350, the general Magnentius declared himself emperor at Augustodunum with the support of the troops on the Rhine frontier - and later other western provinces. Constans was enjoying himself nearby when he was notified of the usurper. Lacking any support beyond his immediate household, he was forced to flee for his life. Magnentius' supporters cornered him in a fortification in Vicus Helena in the Pyrenees, southwestern Gaul, where he was killed by Magnentius' assassins after seeking sanctuary in a temple.