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This bronze coin was issued during the brief reign of Emperor Jovian, who ruled the Roman Empire for only about 8 months between 363 and 364 CE. As the successor to Julian the Apostate and the last ruler connected to the Constantinian dynasty, Jovian presided over a critical transitional period following Julian's failed Persian campaign.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Jovian facing right, likely depicted with a pearl diadem and imperial robes, with his name and titles in Latin around the edge.
Back side: Probably features common late Roman imagery such as the emperor holding military standards, Victory crowning the emperor, or possibly Christian symbolism as Jovian reversed Julian's pagan policies.
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition
Denomination: Likely an AE3 or similar late Roman bronze denomination
Weight: Approximately 2-3 grams
Diameter: Approximately 18-20 mm
NGC Certified for authentication and preservation
Minted between 363-364 CE
Condition as specified by NGC certification
Historical Significance: Jovian's brief reign marked an important religious pivot in Roman history. The son of Constantius II's bodyguard commander, he was unexpectedly proclaimed emperor by the army following Julian's death during the disastrous Persian expedition. Jovian negotiated a humiliating but necessary peace with Persia, surrendering territories to extricate the stranded Roman army. As the last emperor connected to Constantine's dynasty, he promptly reversed Julian's anti-Christian policies, restoring privileges to the Church. His sudden death after only 8 months in power—likely from carbon monoxide poisoning in an overheated room—cut short what might have been an important reign. This coin represents this brief but pivotal transition in late Roman history.
This bronze coin was issued during the brief reign of Emperor Jovian, who ruled the Roman Empire for only about 8 months between 363 and 364 CE. As the successor to Julian the Apostate and the last ruler connected to the Constantinian dynasty, Jovian presided over a critical transitional period following Julian's failed Persian campaign.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Jovian facing right, likely depicted with a pearl diadem and imperial robes, with his name and titles in Latin around the edge.
Back side: Probably features common late Roman imagery such as the emperor holding military standards, Victory crowning the emperor, or possibly Christian symbolism as Jovian reversed Julian's pagan policies.
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition
Denomination: Likely an AE3 or similar late Roman bronze denomination
Weight: Approximately 2-3 grams
Diameter: Approximately 18-20 mm
NGC Certified for authentication and preservation
Minted between 363-364 CE
Condition as specified by NGC certification
Historical Significance: Jovian's brief reign marked an important religious pivot in Roman history. The son of Constantius II's bodyguard commander, he was unexpectedly proclaimed emperor by the army following Julian's death during the disastrous Persian expedition. Jovian negotiated a humiliating but necessary peace with Persia, surrendering territories to extricate the stranded Roman army. As the last emperor connected to Constantine's dynasty, he promptly reversed Julian's anti-Christian policies, restoring privileges to the Church. His sudden death after only 8 months in power—likely from carbon monoxide poisoning in an overheated room—cut short what might have been an important reign. This coin represents this brief but pivotal transition in late Roman history.
This bronze coin was issued during the brief reign of Emperor Jovian, who ruled the Roman Empire for only about 8 months between 363 and 364 CE. As the successor to Julian the Apostate and the last ruler connected to the Constantinian dynasty, Jovian presided over a critical transitional period following Julian's failed Persian campaign.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Jovian facing right, likely depicted with a pearl diadem and imperial robes, with his name and titles in Latin around the edge.
Back side: Probably features common late Roman imagery such as the emperor holding military standards, Victory crowning the emperor, or possibly Christian symbolism as Jovian reversed Julian's pagan policies.
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition
Denomination: Likely an AE3 or similar late Roman bronze denomination
Weight: Approximately 2-3 grams
Diameter: Approximately 18-20 mm
NGC Certified for authentication and preservation
Minted between 363-364 CE
Condition as specified by NGC certification
Historical Significance: Jovian's brief reign marked an important religious pivot in Roman history. The son of Constantius II's bodyguard commander, he was unexpectedly proclaimed emperor by the army following Julian's death during the disastrous Persian expedition. Jovian negotiated a humiliating but necessary peace with Persia, surrendering territories to extricate the stranded Roman army. As the last emperor connected to Constantine's dynasty, he promptly reversed Julian's anti-Christian policies, restoring privileges to the Church. His sudden death after only 8 months in power—likely from carbon monoxide poisoning in an overheated room—cut short what might have been an important reign. This coin represents this brief but pivotal transition in late Roman history.
Jovian (Latin: Jovianus; Ancient Greek: Ιοβιανός, romanized: Iobianós; 331 – 17 February 364) was Roman emperor from June 363 to February 364. As part of the imperial bodyguard, he accompanied Julian on his campaign against the Sasanian Empire. Julian was killed in battle, and the exhausted and ill-provisioned army declared Jovian his successor. Unable to cross the Tigris, Jovian made peace with the Sasanids on humiliating terms. He spent the rest of his seven-month reign traveling back to Constantinople. After his arrival at Edessa, Jovian was petitioned by bishops over doctrinal issues concerning Christianity. Albeit the last emperor to rule the whole Empire during his entire reign, he died at Dadastana, never having reached the capital.[b]
Jovian was born at Singidunum, Moesia Superior (today Belgrade in Serbia), in 331, son of Varronianus,[3] the commander of Constantius II's imperial bodyguards (comes domesticorum).[4] He also joined the guards and in this capacity in 361, escorted Constantius' remains to the Church of the Holy Apostles.[4] Jovian was married to Charito and they had two sons, Varronianus, and another whose name is unknown.[5]