Constans   337 - 350  A.D.

Coin Description Constans, AE 15mm, Grade??, The little bulge on the site is a flaw in the flan the coin is also struck slightly off-center causing the topside of the obverse legend to be missing. VM 60, RBC 402, RIC VIII Cyzicus 51
Obverse

The portrait is of Constans a diademed bust looking right. The legend reads DN CONSTANS PF AVG meaning: DN (Dominus Noster /our lord showing the emperor to be the supreme ruler) CONSTANS (his name) PF (Pius Felix / Dutiful and Wise) AVG (Augustus which defines him as being the emperor). The legend is broken which is a sign of the highest respect and signifies him as the senior Augustus.

There are several letters missing from the obverse but by the size of the letters and a bit of counting I've come to the conclusion that it is Constans and not his brother and co-ruler Constantius II (that would have given CONSTANTIVS).
Reverse The reverse shows a wreath with the letters VOT XX MULT XXX which translates as: Because of the vows, twenty years, through more vows, thirty years. This derives from the Roman custom of offering vows of a certain sacrifice to the Gods in return for the granting of some favor or wish. During his reign, the emperor would offer vows to safeguard the people and the state for a certain period. When the end of this period was reached (in this case 20 years his Vicennalia) he would make the sacrifices in fulfillment of those vows. At the same time he's offering vows for another successful period of ten years. The vows were a money sacrifice paid to the gods (later and in Constans' case the Catholic Church).
(note that they only paid on delivery of the goods )
Mint The exergue reads SMKS meaning SM (Sacred Moneta / Sacred Money) K for the Cyzicus mint S (digamma) for the sixth officina.
The Entire Story The entire story of this coin would read: Our Lord Constans the Dutiful and Wise Augustus who trough his vows had a successful reign of twenty years and who has made vows of sacrifices for another ten successful years.