DN IOVIANVS PF AVG, Jovian facing left / VOT / V within wreath, HERACB in exergue. Nice patina. 20mm, 3.02 grams, Heraclea mint. RIC 108.

Jovian was Roman emperor from 363 to 364 CE. A senior officer in the imperial guard, he was unexpectedly proclaimed emperor by the army after the death of Julian during his Persian campaign. Facing a difficult military situation deep inside enemy territory, Jovian negotiated a peace treaty with the Sasanian Empire that allowed the Roman army to withdraw safely, though at the cost of several frontier territories. A Christian, he reversed many of Julian’s pagan policies and restored imperial support for Christianity. His reign lasted only about eight months before he died unexpectedly in February 364 while traveling to Constantinople. Despite his brief rule, he is remembered for securing the survival of the Roman army and restoring religious stability after a turbulent period.