Bronze Coin - AE 3 (Centenionalis), Ancient Rome, c 363-364 AD
Ruler: Jovian
Obv: Laureate bust of Jovian, right
Rev: Votive Issue with "VOT X/ MVLT X" in wreath
Mint: Sirmium
Scarce – ruled only 8 months !
S-R19229, RIC 118, 20 mm, 3.62gm
Exceptional condition and patina.
Flavius Jovianus was the captain of the imperial guard under emperor Julian. Following the latter's death, he was proclaimed emperor by the army. The new ruler lacked the great ability of his predecessor and immediately began to withdraw his troops from Persian territory.
In order to ensure a safe retreat he concluded a shameful peace with the Persians by which the Romans surrendered most of the territories which they had acquired during the reign of Diocletian, more than 60 years earlier. Having reached Roman territory Jovian set out for Constantinople, but was "accidentally" suffocated at Dadastana, in Galatia, from a brazier of charcoal having been left in his bed-chamber.
