Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVI 26 Sep 2018
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Julian II AV Solidus. Lugdunum, AD 360-361. FL CL IVLIANVS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / VIRTVS EXERC GALL, soldier standing right, head left, holding trophy over shoulder and placing hand on head of kneeling captive; star to left, LVG in exergue. RIC 226; Depeyrot 6/1. 4.58g, 21mm, 6h.
Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only one other example in CoinArchives.
From a scattered hoard found in West Norfolk, Wednesday 12th April 2017 - Monday 8th May 2017. Submitted for consideration as Treasure, and returned to the finders. PAS ID: NMS-1A6962.
In AD 355 Julian was appointed Caesar by his cousin Constantius II, and was entrusted with the defence of Gaul against Germanic invasion. Perhaps remembering their role as king-makers, the Gallic Army elevated Julian II to the rank of Augustus in AD 360 in defiance of Constantius II's order for them to march east to counter a Sasanid invasion of Mesopotamia. This issue, with its reverse type explicitly referencing the Gallic Army, recalls the similar types of Constantine I. The Gallic Army had then been responsible for supporting Constantine's illegal elevation to the purple upon the death of his father at Eboracum (York) in AD 306, and fought under him against the Frankish and Germanic tribes in several campaigns between 306 and 310, and which ultimately delivered him Rome and sole rule of the West in 312. It was a battle-hardened and effective force, regularly tested against the barbarian tribes which at this time made frequent incursions into Roman lands, and it was on account of this devoted and veteran army that Constantine was able to win a crushing victory over the numerically superior force of Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Thus it was with this army that the reluctant Julian set about retracing the footsteps of his uncle, first dealing with the Franks and Alamanni, and then marching on Italy and Illyricum. Unlike Constantine though, no great slaughter was necessary for Julian to take the throne - Constantius II died of illness, leaving Julian as sole emperor of East and West.
Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only one other example in CoinArchives.
From a scattered hoard found in West Norfolk, Wednesday 12th April 2017 - Monday 8th May 2017. Submitted for consideration as Treasure, and returned to the finders. PAS ID: NMS-1A6962.
In AD 355 Julian was appointed Caesar by his cousin Constantius II, and was entrusted with the defence of Gaul against Germanic invasion. Perhaps remembering their role as king-makers, the Gallic Army elevated Julian II to the rank of Augustus in AD 360 in defiance of Constantius II's order for them to march east to counter a Sasanid invasion of Mesopotamia. This issue, with its reverse type explicitly referencing the Gallic Army, recalls the similar types of Constantine I. The Gallic Army had then been responsible for supporting Constantine's illegal elevation to the purple upon the death of his father at Eboracum (York) in AD 306, and fought under him against the Frankish and Germanic tribes in several campaigns between 306 and 310, and which ultimately delivered him Rome and sole rule of the West in 312. It was a battle-hardened and effective force, regularly tested against the barbarian tribes which at this time made frequent incursions into Roman lands, and it was on account of this devoted and veteran army that Constantine was able to win a crushing victory over the numerically superior force of Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Thus it was with this army that the reluctant Julian set about retracing the footsteps of his uncle, first dealing with the Franks and Alamanni, and then marching on Italy and Illyricum. Unlike Constantine though, no great slaughter was necessary for Julian to take the throne - Constantius II died of illness, leaving Julian as sole emperor of East and West.