JULIAN THE APOSTATE
AD 361-363
AR Siliqua. 1.45g, 16.6mm
MINTED: Arelate (Arles) mint, AD 362-363
REF: RIC VIII 309
OBVERSE: D N FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bearded bust right.
REVERSE: VOTIS/ X/ MVLT/ XX in four lines within wreath, eagle in medallion at top of wreath; [S?]CONST in exergue.
 
Provenance:
Ex 1887 East Harptree Hoard (IRBCH 1424)
This coin is part of a hoard that was discovered in the summer of 1887 near the village of East Harptree in Somerset, England. The hoard, comprising 1496 coins spanning the reigns of Constantine the Great (AD 307-336) to Gratian (AD 367-383), was contained in a jug that was buried around AD 375 in an area near eight known Roman settlements, silver and lead mines, and two large villas. After its discovery, the hoard was studied by the British Museum, and then documented by John Evans in The Numismatic Chronicle of 1888 (pp. 22-46). The British Museum acquired 25 of the coins and returned the rest of the hoard to the owner, Mr William Kettlewell. The larger portion of the hoard thereafter remained together until their eventual sale through Spink in 2016.

Grade/Notes: 
Good.  Deeply toned silver; rough surfaces and compact flan. 
A lower grade example that offers an affordable opportunity to own a coin from a documented hoard discovered more than 130 years ago. 
 
Historical Notes: 
Julian, nephew of Constantine the Great, was the last pagan emperor of the Roman Empire.  Constantine had legalized Christianity and converted to the new religion, becoming the first Christian Emperor of Rome.  His sons who succeeded him likewise espoused the faith.  When Julian ascended to the throne upon the death of Constantius II, he attempted to revive the worship of the old gods, restoring paganism as the state religion, hence the byname "the Apostate".  He was also called Julian the Philosopher, and was a noted Neoplatonic scholar and writer.  Several of Julian's literary works, written in Greek, haved survived to this day.  Barely a year and a half into his reign, Julian was mortally wounded while campaigning against the Sassanians.  With his last words, he is said to have addressed Jesus, "You have won, Galilean".