The Coins of Julian II


Mint City Modern Name Typical Mint Marks (as Caesar / as Augustus) Officinae (Caes/Aug)
Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt
ALE#
 4/4
Antioch Antakiyah, Syria (Turkey?)
AN# / ANT#, SMANT#
 15/4 - A,B,Gamma, Delta,
Aquileia near Trieste, Italy
AQ# / AQVIL#
 3/2 - P,S,T
Constantina/Arelate Arles, France
#CON / #CONST
 3/3 - P,S,T
Constantinople Istanbul, Turkey
CONS# / CONSP#
 11/4 - A,B,Gamma, Delta, epsilon,
Cyzicus Kapu Dagh, Turkey
SMK# / CVZICEN#, CVZIC#, CVZ#
 6/3 - A,B,,Delta,
Heraclea Thracica Eregli, Turkey
SMH# / HERACL#
 5/2 - A,B,Gamma, Delta, epsilon
Lugdunum Lyons, France
CPLG, MPLG, PPLG / LVGDOFF#, #LVGD
 2/2 - P,S
Nicomedia Izmit, Turkey
SMN#, SMN#, NIK#
 6/3 - A,B,
Roma Rome, Italy
R#, RM# / R#, RP#, VRBROM#
 7/4 - P,B,T,Q,E,S,,Z
Sirmium Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia
#SIRM
 2/2 - A,B
Siscia Sisak, Croatia
#SIS, #SISD, #SISL, #SISV, #SISR / #SIS, #SISC
 4/2 - A,B,Gamma, Delta
Thessalonica Salonika, Greece
SMTS# / TES#
 5/4 - A,B,Gamma, Delta, epsilon
Treveri Trier, Germany
SMTR# / (none)
 2/0
Barbaric Barbaric imitations


Alexandria
Antioch

 Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Draped bust right wearing a pearl diadem.
Rev: SECVRITASREIPVB - Bull walking right, two stars above.
Ex: (branch)ANT(Gamma)(branch)

VM.25, SR.4072v, LRBC2.2640

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Helmeted, and draped bust left, wearing a pearl diadem over the helmet and holding a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT / X / MVLT / X X - Legend in four lines enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: (branch)ANTA(branch)

VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.2642

Aquileia

 Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Draped bust right wearing a pearl diadem.
Rev: SECVRITASREIPVB - Bull walking right, two stars above.
Ex: (dot)AQVILP

VM.25, SR.4072v, LRBC2.959

Constantina/Arelate

Arelate (the modern city of Arles) was renamed Constantina in 330, to reflect the ruling Constantine dynasty at the time. This change was also reflected in the mintmark, and often causes misattribution of coins to Constantinople. The pattern is easy to spot if you watch for it, as coins of Arelate will have the officina mark before the city name, while the coins of Constantinople have the name before the officina. Also, an eagle often appears on Julian's Arelate coins - either before the bull on the large-module coins, or in the medallion at the top of the wreath on his VOT/X/MULT/XX coins.

 Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Draped bust right wearing a pearl diadem.
Rev: SECVRITASREIPVB - Bull walking right, two stars above. Eagle standing to right with a wreath in his beak, either carrying something or perched on something.
Ex: PCONST

VM.25v, SR.4073, LRBC2.468/9

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Draped bust right wearing a pearl diadem.
Rev: SECVRITASREIPVB - Bull walking right, two stars above. Eagle standing to right with a wreath in his beak.
Ex: PCONST(dot)

VM.25v, SR.4073, LRBC2.469

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Helmeted, and draped bust left, wearing a pearl diadem over the helmet and holding a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT / X / MVLT / X X - Legend in four lines enclosed by a wreath. At the top of the wreath is an eagle medallion.
Ex: CONST
Officina number off flan. Interesting radiate design on shield.
VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.470

Constantinople

 Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Draped bust right wearing a pearl diadem.
Rev: SECVRITASREIPVB - Bull walking right, two stars above.
Ex: CONSPA

VM.25, SR.4072v, LRBC2.2056

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Helmeted, and draped bust left, wearing a pearl diadem over the helmet and holding a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT / X / MVLT / X X - Legend in four lines enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: (dot)CONSPA(branch)(dot)
Mint mark is troublesome - the CONSPA is clear, but the surrounding devices aren't. The dot before is certain, but the branch-dot after is very vague. This would match the mint mark on LRBC2-2058, which is only believed to exist on AE1's (the bull coins). The only recorded mint mark for this AE3 in LRBC2 is (branch)CONSPA(branch).
VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.2060v

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Helmeted, and draped bust left, wearing a pearl diadem over the helmet and holding a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT / X / MVLT / X X - Legend in four lines enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: (branch)CONSA(branch)
This pattern of mintmark not recorded in the LRBC. The officina mark is difficult to make out - either an "A" or a delta.
VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.2060v

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Helmeted, and draped bust left, wearing a pearl diadem over the helmet and holding a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT / X / MVLT / X X - Legend in four lines enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: (branch)CONSPB(branch)

VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.2060

Cyzicus

 Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSNOBCS - Bare-headed draped bust right.
Rev: FELTEMP REPARATIO - Soldier spearing fallen horseman. (dot)M(dot) in left field.
Ex: SMK(Delta)
Less common obverse legend for this issue.
VM.26v, SR.4063v, LRBC2.2503

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Draped bust right wearing a pearl diadem.
Rev: SECVRITASREIPVB - Bull walking right, two stars above.
Ex: CVZB

VM.25, SR.4072v, LRBC2.2511

Heraclea Thracica

 Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Helmeted, and draped bust left, wearing a pearl diadem over the helmet and holding a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT / X / MVLT / X X - Legend in four lines enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: HERACLA

VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.1908

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Helmeted, and draped bust left, wearing a pearl diadem over the helmet and holding a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT / X / MVLT / X X - Legend in four lines enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: HERACL.A
Look close for the dot in the exergue - it's hidden pretty well, keeping the normal letter spacing but it's there, above the leg of the "L".
VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.1909

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Draped bust right wearing a pearl diadem.
Rev: SECVRITASREIPVB - Bull walking right, two stars above.
Ex: HERACLA

VM.25, SR.4072v, LRBC2.1907, RIC8.105

Lugdunum
Nicomedia

 Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Helmeted, and draped bust left, wearing a pearl diadem over the helmet and holding a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT / X / MVLT / X X - Legend in four lines enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: NIK(gamma)
Mintmark not show for this coin in the LRBC.
VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.-, RIC8.123

Roma

 Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Helmeted, and draped bust left, wearing a pearl diadem over the helmet and holding a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT / X / MVLT / X X - Legend in four lines enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: VRB.ROMT

VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.695

Sirmium

 Obv: DNIVLIA NVSNOBC - Bare-headed draped bust right.
Rev: SPESREI PVBLICE - Emperor standing left holding a globe and a spear.
Ex: ASIRM

VM.29v, SR.4064v, LRBC2.1616

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Helmeted, and draped bust left, wearing a pearl diadem over the helmet and holding a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT / X / MVLT / X X - Legend in four lines enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: ASIRM

VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.1619, RIC8.108

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Cuirassed bust left wearing a pearl diadem over a helm, and carrying a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT X MVLT XX - Legend in four lines fully enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: BSIRM

VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.1619

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Cuirassed bust left wearing a pearl diadem over a helm, and carrying a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT X MVLT XX - Legend in four lines fully enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: BSIRM

VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.1619, RIC8.108

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Draped bust right wearing a pearl diadem.
Rev: SECVRITASREIPVB - Bull walking right, two stars above.
Ex: ASIRM(wreath)
Very heavy green patina, obscuring many of the details.
VM.25, SR.4072v, LRBC2.1620

Siscia

 Obv: IMPIVLIANVSNOBCAES - Bare-headed draped bust right.
Rev: FELTEMP REPARATIO - Soldier spearing fallen horseman.
Ex: BSIS
An uncommon obverse legend for this mint - doesn't appear in LRBC.
VM.26, SR.4063v, LRBC2.----

Thessalonica

 Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Draped bust right wearing a pearl diadem.
Rev: SECVRITASREIPVB - Bull walking right, two stars above.
Ex: (branch)TESB(dot)

VM.25, SR.4072v, LRBC2.1695

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Cuirassed bust left wearing a pearl diadem over a helm, and carrying a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT X MVLT XX - Legend in four lines fully enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: TES(gamma)

VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.1619

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Helmeted, and draped bust left, wearing a pearl diadem over the helmet and holding a spear and a shield.
Rev: VOT / X / MVLT / X X - Legend in four lines enclosed by a wreath.
Ex: (branch)TES(delta)(branch)

VM.28, SR.4074v, LRBC2.1697, RIC8.227

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Draped bust right wearing a pearl diadem.
Rev: SECVRITASREIPVB - Bull walking right, two stars above.
Ex: (star)TES(delta)(branch)
Officina mark unrecorded in LRBC.
VM.25, SR.4072v, LRBC2.----

Treveri
Barbaric Imitations

 Obv: ...NVS... - Diademed head right.
Rev: ...CVRA...VB... - Bull walking right, two stars above.
Ex: (pi)P

VM.25v, SR.4072v, LRBC2.----

Obv: DNFLCLIVLIANVSPFAVG - Diademed head right.
Rev: SECVRITASREIPVB - Bull walking right, two stars above.
Ex: HSISC
Letters all correct, but executed crudely.
VM.25v, SR.4072v, LRBC2.1261sim

Obv: DNFLCLIVLI ANVSPFAVG - Beardless draped bust right wearing a pearl diadem.
Rev: SECVRIT...VB - Bull walking right, two stars above.
Ex: ...IIC
One of my favorites. Looks almost good enough to be official, except for the odd nose. But wait - what happened to the beard? Also, the mint mark on the reverse is poorly done - perhaps this was off the flan on the original?
VM.25v, SR.4072v, LRBC2.----

The following catalogue references are used for the coins throughout this site:
VM - "The Handbook of Roman Imperial Coins" by David Van Meter (1991) - My favorite general reference.
SR - "Roman Coins and Their Values" - by David Sear (1988)
LRBC - "Late Roman Bronze Coinage" Part II - by Carson, Hill, & Kent (1978)

There are some excellent resources for learning more about this series, and about other ancient coins. I'd like to recommend the following:
Moneta email list - To quote from the website: "This list is dedicated to the joys of ancient coin collecting. The period covered extends from the earliest coinage through medieval. Topics may include your collection, news and events, requests for advice and attribution, historical discussion as related to coins and more. Basically anything to do with ancient and medieval coins."
AncientCoinMarket email list - Bringing buyers and sellers of ancient and medieval coins together. Post want lists, ask what's avalable, post your sales or auctions.
UncleanedCoins email list - Anything relating to uncleaned ancient/medieval/... coins, and pretty much anything else. A very entertaining and informative list.
The Celator monthly magazine - THE magazine about ancient coins. If you have any interest in ancient coins or their history, a subscription to The Celator is a must.

If you have an comments, questions, or corrections, please email me.
All coins from the author's collection. Not a commercial site, these coins are not for sale.

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The Coins of Julian II
last modified: 7 Mar 2006