Julian II (as Caesar) Roman AE (AD 361–363) NGC

Own a certified Roman bronze AE of Julian II, issued during his time as Caesar (AD 361–363), authenticated and slabbed by NGC. This coin represents the complex and fascinating figure who would become known to history as Julian the Apostate.

Julian was a member of the Constantinian dynasty, a nephew of Constantine the Great. Raised as a Christian in an increasingly Christian empire, Julian shocked the Roman world by renouncing Christianity upon reaching power and attempting to revive traditional Roman paganism. Though this religious reversal earned him the enduring label “Apostate” from later Christian writers, Julian was also remembered as a brilliant scholar, philosopher, and military commander.

He first came to prominence during his appointment as Caesar under Emperor Constantius II, tasked with defending the western provinces. Despite limited experience, Julian quickly proved himself an able and charismatic leader, scoring key victories against Germanic tribes along the Rhine. His popularity with the army grew rapidly.

In 361 AD, following internal strife and the death of Constantius, Julian assumed full control of the empire as Augustus, ruling until his own death in battle just two years later.

Bronze AE coins of Julian as Caesar typically feature his youthful, diademed or helmeted portrait on the obverse, with reverses emphasizing military strength, divine favor, or Roman unity — themes central to his early image.

Certified by NGC, this AE coin offers collectors a glimpse into the early career of Rome’s last pagan emperor, whose brief reign left a lasting cultural and political legacy.