Bull for the new year

I have finally received my first new coin for 2011. It has a less than pretty green patina but looks better in hand than in this photo so that means I'll be shooting it over and over until I get it looking decent. Julian II was the last Pagan Emperor of Rome and this sacrificial bull must have been offensive to the Christian community in its day. I bought this one because it is Sirmium mint (one I lacked). Julian's AE1 coins and those of Jovian and Valentinian that followed him were a final effort at currency reform to include a big coin. Starting from here, coins got smaller and smaller until, over a century later, the little specks under Anastasius gave way to the new coinage we call Byzantine.

Julian II AE1 360-363 AD (28mm, 8.42g) Sirmium mint first workshop (ASIRM wreath) RIC 105p392

 

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Nice looking coin, really like the reverse. It has alot of detail compared to the other examples ive seen of this emperor/reverse.

 

Here's my Julian II Bull:



Julian II AE1 - Bull
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
DN FL CL IVLI-ANVS PF AVG
Reverse:
Bull standing right, two stars above
SECVRITAS REIPVB - Exergue: (palm) ANTD (palm) (Antioch Mint)
Size: 25mm
Catalog: RIC Antioch 216

 

Very cool coin doug, yours too willie, awesome horns on the bull on them both.... this time period is not my specialty, these seem like heavy bronzes for the time, 8.42 grams and such.... I am used to the follis' from this era... also when someone writes "AE1' or 'AE3' or 'AE4' what does that number refer to? does it have to do with reference numbers, or size or weight?

 

Its the size of the coin.

 

These sites give references for the sizes. I have a couple of others bookmarked but none of them are connecting tonight:

http://ancientcoinsforeducation.org/content/view/81/98/

http://www.unrv.com/economy/roman-coin-denominations.php

 

Ah okay, thanks guys. Great links ikan, thanks alot my friend. I understand now. That is an interesting way of categorizing things...

 

I love the history behind the coin.

This video is great (watch after the 15 second point):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeiAgAOgVJg


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurobolium

As an aside, I don't see the same passion for history among collectors of modern coinage,


guy

 

I will

 

Is there anything in the field in front of the bull.

 

Perfect post....though, not just history, ancient history......real history.

 

What's the opinion of this site? I found it interesting:

http://www.tesorillo.com/aes/home.htm

http://www.tesorillo.com/aes/123/123i.htm

guy