The S.C. Markoff Collection of Roman Coins
The Roman Empire
Jovinus, 411 – 413
Siliqua, Arelate 411-413, AR 1.72 g. D N IOVIN – VS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed
bust r. Rev. RESTIT – [VT] OR REIP Roma seated l. on curule chair, holding Victory on globe and
reverted spear; in exergue, KONT. C 2. King, Melanges Bastien, pl. 22,9. RIC 1601. Very rare and in unusually good condition for the issue. Toned and about extremely fine / good very fine When the Gallic nobleman Jovinus was proclaimed emperor in Germania Secunda in 411, his timing was ideal; the luckless Honorius had only just emerged from the horrors of 407-411, during which many crises had struck the Western empire, including the sack of Rome by the Visigoths. Jovinus already had agreements with kings of the Alans and Burgundians, and he immediately set about making alliances with other barbarian leaders, including Athaulf, king of the Visigoths. All was proceeding according to plan until Jovinus courted the Gothic dissident Sarus, and hailed his own brother Sebastianus co-emperor, for both of these actions alienated Athaulf, who instead began to co-operate with Honorius. The alliance of Athaulf and Honorius was effective, and the rebels Sebastianus and Jovinus were, in turn, captured and executed.