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The death of Augustus Julian II in 363 AD marked the end of over five decades of rule by the direct descendants of Constantine. Yet, one Constantinian dynast remained, poised to contend for the purple: Julian’s maternal cousin, Procopius. A veteran of several campaigns, Procopius was absent during the fateful battle against the Sasanians that claimed Julian’s life. When he arrived to find the army had already acclaimed Jovian as Emperor, Procopius — allegedly in possession of an imperial robe gifted by Julian as a sign of succession — quietly conceded the throne and retired into the shadows.
Procopius’ attempt at anonymity proved futile following the rise of Valentinian I and his brother, Valens. The new co-Augusti viewed any surviving Constantinian as a mortal threat. Dispatched to arrest him, imperial troops intercepted Procopius, who secured a final dinner with his family as his only request. Under the watchful eyes of his drunken guards, Procopius exploited the flowing wine to slip away, whisking his family to safety and vanishing once more.
Fate, however, refused to let him remain a private citizen. In late 365 AD, with Valentinian distracted in the West and Valens engaged in the East, Procopius seized his moment. He arrived in Constantinople, bribed the garrison, and effectively captured the capital. He shrewdly chose to start his rebellion at the community bath house, named for Constantine’s sister, Anastasia. Procopius found little resistance; indeed, the local population largely supported the return of Constantinian rule.
Procopius advertised his self-promotion on coins such as this nummus struck at the Constantinople mint sometime in 365 - 366 AD. The obverse pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust is familiar, with its advertisement of the newly proclaimed Augustus: DN PROCO-PIVS PF AVG. On the verso Procopius proudly stands contrapposto, looking right, holding a
labarum (a military standard), and leaning on shield set on the ground. The scene comprises no fewer than three instances of the Chi Rho: topping the labarum, engraved on the shield, and to the Emperor’s upper right. The Chi-Rho, comprising the first two letters of the word “Christ” in Greek, was a religious symbol first employed by Constantine. Another, enigmatic symbol appears next to Procopius’ left foot. This mushroom-shaped object sometimes is theorized to be a helmet. On this particular coin, it indeed looks a mushroom. (Admittedly, such identification seems dubious, although the ancient Romans were indeed fond to eat them).
For a while, it seemed that Procopius might succeed in his grab at the purple. Valens remained away from the Empire’s capital, carefully gathering more troops loyalty to him. In the meantime, Procopius’ power grew. He gained control of Bithynia, and starting recruiting troops among the Goths by invoking their old treaty with Constantine. Eventually, however, Valens accumulated enough forces to be confident in his ability to defeat Procopius, and then made his move. Ultimately, Valens managed to defeat and capture Procopius. This time, there was no chance for a pardon, nor even a last meal, and the opportunity to resume Constantinian rule came to a permanent end.
Coin Details: EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE, Procopius. Usurper, AD 365-366. Æ3 (Nummus) (19mm, 2.78 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 4th officina. NGC Grade: AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust left, D N PROCO_PIVS P F AVG, Reverse: Procopius standing facing, head right, holding labarum and shield set on ground, Christogram to upper right, unidentified object (mushroom?) by left foot, REPARATI_O FEL TEMP, CONSΔ• in exergue, References: RIC IX 17a.6; LRBC 2082.
Image: Sony ɑ 7R Ⅴ camera / Sony FE 90mm 2.8/100 Macro GM lens.