Julian II, as Caesar, 355-360. Solidus (Gold, 21 mm, 4.37 g, 12 h), Rome, 355-357. D N CL IVL-IANVS N C Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Julian II to right. Rev. FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO / RSMS✱ Roma, helmeted, seated facing on the left, and Constantinopolis, turreted, seated to left with her right foot on prow on the right, holding between them a shield decorated with a large star. Biaggi 2211 (this coin). Depeyrot 11/2. RIC -, cf. 295 (differing mintmark). Of the highest rarity, apparently the second known example and the only one in private hands. Boldly struck and with a very interesting portrait. Minor flan flaws on Julian's forehead and neck, otherwise, extremely fine.


As the last other surviving male descendant of Constantine 'the Great', Julian was appointed to the rank of Caesar by Constantius II on 6 November 355 and sent to Gaul to mark imperial presence in the endangered northwestern provinces. The young emperor performed very well under the guidance of his advisor Salutius and the magister militum Ursicinus, defeating Frankish tribes on several occasions, most notably in the hard-fought Battle of Argentoratum in 357. The present issue was struck in Rome early in Julian's reign: the portrait is still very close to that of Decentius (Depeyrot 4/3 and 5/1), whereas the reverse promises the 'restoration of the happy times'.