Julian II, 360-363. Solidus (Gold, 20 mm, 4.46 g, 6 h), Arelate, as Constantia, 360. FL CL IVLIAN-VS PERP AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Julian II to right. Rev. GLORIA REI PVBLICAE / KONSTAN Roma, helmeted, seated facing on the left, holding scepter in her left hand, and Constantinopolis, turreted, seated to left with her right foot on prow on the right, holding scepter in her left hand, supporting between them a wreath inscribed VOT / V / MVLT / X. Depeyrot 8/4. Depeyrot, Arles 139/5. RIC -. Very rare and sharply struck, a beautiful example of this interesting issue. A few minor marks and with a light graffito on the obverse, otherwise, virtually as struck.


The very rare solidi of Julian II from Arelate can be divided into two groups, the first of which includes our specimen, struck immediately after his elevation to Augustus in 360. This is evident from the fact that the young Augustus not only adopted the types of his rival Constantius II, but even continued to issue coins in his name. This accords with the historical reports that Julian initially sought an accommodation with his cousin - an undertaking that was, however, doomed to failure from the outset. The coins in Constantius’ name, much like Julian’s lengthy letters sent to Rome, Constantinople, Athens, Sparta, and Corinth, were probably intended above all as a justification of his usurpation.

Interestingly, on these early issues Julian still appears clean-shaven in the traditional right-facing profile, while for Constantius he employed his familiar frontal military bust. After the death of Constantius, Arelate, like all other mints, adopted Julian’s new bearded imperial portrait, which went on to provoke considerable debate among contemporaries and historians alike.