JOVIAN (363-364). GOLD Solidus. Antioch.

Obv: D N IOVIANVS PEP AVG.
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: SECVRITAS REI PVBLICAE / ANTЄ.
Roma and Constantinopolis, with foot on prow, seated facing one another on double throne, holding sceptres and between them a shield inscribed VOT / V / MVL / X in four lines.

RIC 223; Depeyrot 18/2.

Jovian was the son of Varronianus, born in Singidunum in 331, and served as 'protector domesticus' first under Constantius II and then under Julian II. Upon Julian’s death, he was proclaimed Augustus. He was immediately forced to negotiate with the Persians because the army was exhausted and starving from the long war and eager to return home. Shapur II, realizing the Romans’ difficult situation, took advantage of it to secure the territories conquered by Diocletian beyond the Tigris River. Jovian accepted the unfair terms of peace and signed an unfavorable treaty, forced to abandon important territories and the Christian fortress of Nisibis. After that, Jovian reaffirmed the supremacy of Christianity over paganism, perhaps even prohibiting certain sacrifices and ordering the closure of temples. His ambitious goal was the religious reunification of the empire. But during his return journey to Rome, he died under mysterious circumstances, likely from intoxication or poisoning. He was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles of Constantinople and was granted the 'consecratio'.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 4.36 g.
Diameter: 21 mm.

Estimate: € 1000