I just added a nice coin of Jovian to my educational site about AE coins of Jovian: http://esty.ancients.info/Jovian/Jovian.html It is this one: from Thessalonica, RIC Thessaloncia 239. Is is 21 mm, noticeably larger than most which are 19 mm. It also has the longer obverse legend with PF PP for Pius Felix Perpetuus (the Byzantine usage, not the "Pater Patriae" of the early empire) instead of just PF which is more common. If you collected Lincoln cents there would be certain years and mints you wanted. Here is an emperor whose whole reign was less than one year (27 June 363 - 16 Feb, 364). If someone collected only US coins and they were told this emperor ruled only eight months, they might expect his coins to be rare and expensive. Fortunately for us, they are not.
I still remember the story about his proclamation. It was said that shortly after Julian had died they proclaimed Jovian as successor. Julian's men, hearing proclamations of "Long live Jovian" most likely thought Julian had recovered and joined the celebration. I always wondered if Jovian would ever had been emperor if his name did not sound so much like Julian.
interesting coin, my only jovian.. evidently he sees something shocking to the left of the pic. i'd like to get one of hist larger victoria r. coins, they seem to bet a bit more pricey.
VERY NICE examples guys !!! I'm not sure how any longer, but I seem to have accumulated four reduced follii (AE-3's) with three facing left---all from the Heraclea mint I believe.... Here's a few...
I have few Jovians but like best my Antioch AE1 which is well covered on Valentinian's page. Being larger always makes a coin stand out from the crowd even if it is not mint state.
This is 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
I really am jealous of you guys who have photos of all of your coins at your fingertips and actually know what you own. I am pretty sure I own a number of these, but have no clue how many, which box they are in, etc.
I wonder why Valentinian I discontinued the AE-1 series and replaced it with those AE-3's? Did the AE-1's still circulate after Valentinian's coinage reform?
I'm OCD which drives most people around me nuts. Everything has a place and everything in it's place. You should see my garage. Not only is everything in a particular spot but the floor is kept nearly clean enough to eat off of.
Jovian, trapped on the east bank of the Tigris, had to hand over all the provinces the Persians had ceded to Rome in 298, as well as Nisibis and Singara, to secure safe passage for his army out of Persia. Frye 1968, p. 137 Persia, Shapur II (AD 309-379) Uncertain Mint- Kabul? AR Drachm 20 mm x 3.49 grams Obverse: Bust of Shapur II right. Reverse: Zoroastrian Fire Altar with the flaming head of Ahura Mazda in flames, flanked by to attendants.
I think many of us would be happy to spend a week or two at your place to help you sort them out. It would be courteous of you to not check our pockets before we leave .
