The Roman Empire
Julian II, 360 – 363
Julian II the Philosopher begins as caesar with the portrait of a young beardless man. He also uses this type in his first coins as augustus, and then presents a second portrait type with a full long beard. In some mints the long beard is well trimmed (such as in Sirmium), in others it shows hanging strains. There is considerable variety between mints. AMP. AE1, Sirmium 361-363, Æ 8.21 D N FL CL IVLI – IANVS PF AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. SECVRITAS REIPVB Bull standing r.; above, two stars and in exergue, TBSIRM wreath. C 38. RIC 106. Dark green patina, insignificant die shift on reverse, otherwise extremely fine The large and impressive AE1 with the bull reverse from the mint of Sirmium boast, in my opinion, the best in portrait style. This and the following two examples show the well trimmed long beard used across all nominals. AMP.