Ancient Roman Bronze Coin of Emperor Procopius (Short-Reigned Usurper of Rome)

Own a Bronze Coin from the Last Man Who Could Claim Julian's Blood — and Died for It

A real AE3 bronze of Procopius — the relative of Julian II who emerged from hiding in AD 365, seized Constantinople while Valens was occupied elsewhere, controlled key eastern territories for eight months on the strength of his Constantinian blood, and was captured and executed in AD 366 after his supporters abandoned him. NGC certified.

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👑 A relative of Julian II — leveraging his Constantinian bloodline as the primary source of legitimacy in a revolt that briefly controlled Constantinople and key eastern territories
🏛 Reverse depicts Victory, soldiers, or captives — the traditional military strength imagery of a usurper who needed to project power he was still assembling
🤲 Struck AD 365–366 — eight months of contested eastern authority, memory officially condemned after his execution. NGC certified.

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

After Julian II died in Persia in AD 363 and the brief reign of Jovian ended in accidental death in AD 364, the empire passed to two brothers from Pannonia — Valentinian I in the west and Valens in the east — who had no connection to the Constantinian dynasty that had governed Rome for over half a century. Procopius did have that connection. As a relative of Julian and through him of Constantine the Great, he carried the last meaningful claim to Constantinian legitimacy in a world where that name still resonated powerfully with soldiers and citizens.

He had been in hiding since Julian's death, aware that his bloodline made him simultaneously valuable and dangerous to whoever held power. In September AD 365, with Valens occupied on the Danube frontier and the eastern capital lightly garrisoned, Procopius made his move. He appeared in Constantinople with a small force, reportedly dressed in imperial purple, and persuaded two passing legions to support him by invoking Julian's memory and the Constantinian legacy. The city fell to him almost without resistance.

For eight months he held eastern territories, struck coins asserting his imperial status, and attempted to build the military coalition he needed to confront Valens directly. The Constantinian appeal had real power — troops who had served under Julian recognized the bloodline claim. But Valens responded with determined military pressure, and Procopius's support gradually eroded as the campaign season of AD 366 progressed. His commanders began defecting. In May AD 366, he was captured — betrayed by two of his own officers who handed him to Valens in exchange for their lives. Valens had him executed immediately. His memory was condemned. This AE3, struck during his eight months of eastern control, is among the few surviving physical records of his existence. Certified by NGC.

Perfect for:

• Collectors of late Roman usurpers, Valentinian era, and Roman AE3 bronze coinage
• History lovers drawn to Procopius, the last Constantinian claimant, and the civil war against Valens
• Short-reign rebel coinage, Victory and soldier reverse types, and NGC certified late Roman bronze enthusiasts
• Anyone seeking a coin from the last man whose Constantinian blood made him a genuine threat to the new dynasty

What You'll Receive

• One authentic AE3 bronze of Procopius
• Denomination: AE3 (late Roman bronze)
• NGC certified for authenticity and preservation
• Struck AD 365–366 — similar to examples shown (each coin is unique)

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient coin
• Carefully sourced and verified
• 30-day return policy
• Secure shipping from the U.S.

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