I'm submitting this one in the hopes that it will pick up a prize in the Rough and Corroded category. In any case, I reckon it's worth the $4 I paid since it checks my Jovian box. The seller had misattributed this coin to Julian, which is funny because it would not be the first time Jovian has been mistaken for Julian... Ammianus Marcellinus, a soldier and historian who accompanied Julian on his ill-fated Persian campaign, wrote that when the latter succumbed to wounds sustained in a battle the camp was in disagreement over who should be proclaimed Augustus. A small party of his followers took it upon themselves to raise Jovian, the relatively undistinguished commander of the household guard. They proceeded to carry him through the camp while shouting "Jovianus Augustus". The camp soldiers apparently heard their acclamation as "Julianus Augustus" instead, and thinking that Julian had recovered from his wounds cheered the newcomer. When they realized their mistake, grief broke out anew but Jovian's elevation was upheld "as if by the blind decree of Fortune." Please post your Jovian coins or your really rough and corroded coins. JOVIAN AE3. 2.1g, 20mm Heraclea mint, 363 - 364 AD. RIC VIII 108 O: D N IOVIAN-VS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left. R: VOT V, in two lines within wreath. Mintmark: HERACA
I guess you could say I have a bad attitude about the coins of Jovian. They strike me as somewhat boring. Of coure this contributes to my not having any really nice ones but the opinion that he is suitable as one to have a 'box checker' grade has already been expressed. I show three different mints (Thessalonika, Siscia and Sirmium) in the 'other' reverse variation adding MVLT X to the OP VOT V. They are somewhat boring coins which replaced Julians similarly boring AE3 reverses but Julian used left facing military portraits so he get more interest points than Jovian's plain busts. There was a large AE1 coin for both rulers but Julian's wins hands down with the bull reverse while Jovian has a standing soldier as shown by my Antioch example. While not a great coin by any means, it is probably worth about the same as the other three combined mostly because it is an AE1 size coin. Jovian does have some better reverse types on his gold but even the gold is often cheaper than one might expect from a ruler who was in power for such a short time. Jovian was not the kind of emperor that would have made the footnotes of history were it not for the fact that he was Christian and restored that religion to power after the reign of Julian the Apostate. He vigorously persecuted pagans beyond the level that had been seen before. You may want to note that the Christian Valentinian allowed pagans religious freedom so it would be until Theodosius came to power before religious persecutions picked up again. It seems that most people soon agreed that Jovian was not really emperor material. History records that his death was from mushrooms or carbon monoxide fumes. Both of these are easily 'assisted' by those who might benefit from an 'accidental' death. It is hard to imagine who might have been terribly upset by his death.
here's my jovian box checker... he must have seen a gost left off flan...check out those eyes (or eye i should say). i would like to get one of the large jovian ae1 coins still.
My only Jovian: JOVIAN AE3 OBVERSE: DN IOVIA-NVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, & cuirassed bust right REVERSE: VOT V MVLT X in four lines across field within wreath; BSIRM Struck at Sirmium 363-4 AD 3.0g, 20mm RIC 118b
LOL, that's a funny story! Doug what are you talking about? I think your second coin is a beautiful specimen! I think you need stronger glasses... JK.
$4 eh Z-bro? ... well, at least you have a Jovian (I do not have an example to toss into your thread, so "you win") Cheers yah, I always love seeing your Leno-coin, big brother!!
Steve could you change your avatar? If my parents see any of your posts they might ban me. Edit: NM, in the 30 seconds it took to think and type my post you had already done it.
Mr. Zumbly, considering the high quality of your coins, is this an early April Fools joke? Not that I can criticize, of course. Here's a worn, corroded Gallienus that cost me $5. (I paid an extra dollar premium for the snotty patina.)
Wow, I'm abit surprised that quite a few have already checked their Jovian box, and that Doug checked his so many times! But seriously, thanks for posting your coins, guys. I always like seeing Bing's Jay Leno.
Well, the sad fact is I can't afford the better quality stuff all the time. I still often buy coins just to get connected to a certain part of history, and that can be done in any grade. I guess it's just unfortunate that I decided to inflict this example of that sentiment on everyone today. For that additional buck yours is much nicer than mine! So I still win
To be honest, JA, I personally think that your most recent Nabataeans have gotten plain ol' pretty. You're losing it, man!
Ooooowww man, it's gettin' ugly!! => well, I'm gonna sucka-punch both of ya with a Claudius II (Gothicus)!!
