Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 125 23-24 Jun 2021
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Procopius, 365 – 366.
Solidus, Constantinopolis 365-366, AV 4.42 g. D N PROCO – PIVS Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust. r. Rev. SECVRITAS – REIPVB Emperor standing l., In military attire, holding globe in r. hand and sceptre in l.; in exergue, CONS. C –. RIC –. Depeyrot 14/1 (this coin).
Apparently unique. A magnificient portrait of fine style, minor marks on reverse,
otherwise good extremely fine
Ex Leu 18, 1977, 401; NAC 18, 2000, 755; NAC 46, 2008, 730 and NAC 52, 2009, 634 sales.
In Procopius we have one of the more legitimate rebels in Roman history. When Julian II was killed in battle against the Persians in the summer of 363, it was Procopius, a relative of Julian II and one of his campaign commanders, who bore his body back to Cilicia for burial. Furthermore, it was rumoured that he had been named successor. Despite all this, the divided army did not recognise Procopiusí claim and selected Jovian, who seems to have been neutral in the east-west divide within the ranks. Another reason Procopius might have been denied was his probable sympathy toward paganism, which we might presume from his close association with Julian and his choice to wear a beard. Because of his prominence, Procopius was in grave danger and so went into hiding, emerging only when the new eastern emperor Valens was travelling to Syria. Much was working in favour of Procopius: not only was Valens far away, but the locals in Constantinople were desperate for relief from Petronius, the corrupt father-in-law of Valens who had been left behind in command. Procopiusí revolt was easily sparked, but proved impossible to maintain. The contemporary historian Ammianus reports that Procopius tried to extend his rule into the strategically important Illyricum through the offer of an "accession donative", but apparently even this failed. With the passage of time Procopiusí support in the army eroded until he left the capital with what remained of his army to confront Valens. The pitched battle Procopius no doubt considered his only chance for survival never materialized, as he was handed over to Valens after the battle of Nacolia in the summer of 366 and was executed.
Solidus, Constantinopolis 365-366, AV 4.42 g. D N PROCO – PIVS Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust. r. Rev. SECVRITAS – REIPVB Emperor standing l., In military attire, holding globe in r. hand and sceptre in l.; in exergue, CONS. C –. RIC –. Depeyrot 14/1 (this coin).
Apparently unique. A magnificient portrait of fine style, minor marks on reverse,
otherwise good extremely fine
Ex Leu 18, 1977, 401; NAC 18, 2000, 755; NAC 46, 2008, 730 and NAC 52, 2009, 634 sales.
In Procopius we have one of the more legitimate rebels in Roman history. When Julian II was killed in battle against the Persians in the summer of 363, it was Procopius, a relative of Julian II and one of his campaign commanders, who bore his body back to Cilicia for burial. Furthermore, it was rumoured that he had been named successor. Despite all this, the divided army did not recognise Procopiusí claim and selected Jovian, who seems to have been neutral in the east-west divide within the ranks. Another reason Procopius might have been denied was his probable sympathy toward paganism, which we might presume from his close association with Julian and his choice to wear a beard. Because of his prominence, Procopius was in grave danger and so went into hiding, emerging only when the new eastern emperor Valens was travelling to Syria. Much was working in favour of Procopius: not only was Valens far away, but the locals in Constantinople were desperate for relief from Petronius, the corrupt father-in-law of Valens who had been left behind in command. Procopiusí revolt was easily sparked, but proved impossible to maintain. The contemporary historian Ammianus reports that Procopius tried to extend his rule into the strategically important Illyricum through the offer of an "accession donative", but apparently even this failed. With the passage of time Procopiusí support in the army eroded until he left the capital with what remained of his army to confront Valens. The pitched battle Procopius no doubt considered his only chance for survival never materialized, as he was handed over to Valens after the battle of Nacolia in the summer of 366 and was executed.