Julian II, 360-363. Solidus (Gold, 21 mm, 4.50 g, 12 h), Antiochia, 361-363. FL CL IVLIA-NVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Julian II with short beard to right. Rev. VIRTVS EXERCI-TVS ROMANORVM / ANTS Roman soldier advancing right, head to left, holding trophy over his left shoulder and dragging bound captive with his right hand. Depeyrot 15/2. RIC 196. Struck from slightly worn and rusty dies, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.



This coin features the distinctive Antiochene portrait of Julian, characterized by a prominently long philosopher’s beard. Julian’s facial hair was a deliberate element of his political and philosophical image: it signaled a break from his Christian predecessors and aligned him with third-century Neoplatonism as well as the second-century philosopher-emperors Marcus Aurelius and Hadrian. His disheveled appearance became the subject of ridicule among contemporaries - especially the citizens of Antioch, where Julian had taken up residence in the summer of 362 to prepare for his campaign against the Sasanids. In response to the mockery he received from the local Christian population during the New Year’s festival of 363, the emperor penned his famous satirical essay, Misopogon (‘The Beard-Hater’), in January-February of that year, mocking his own appearance while simultaneously condemning the perceived hypocrisy and decadence of the Antiochians.