Why not include the women of antiquity in your Roman and ancient collections

In the past few years, I've started to put greater emphasis on the noteworthy women of Roman history in my collection, with a special emphasis on the wives of the emperors, who in many cases wielded great power, commanded respect, and in some cases pulled the strings. I know that some scholarly collectors consider these issues as ancillary and "not required" for a twelve caesars or comprehensive imperial collection and consider them "curious", but I really enjoy them and include them. Share your view on it and also an example from your collection.
Here is one of mine
Pisidia Antioch Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus 193-211 A.D. AE24 Fine+
6.13g. 24mm. Draped bust, r.IVLIA AVGVSTA
Female Genius of the colony standing l., wearing calathos and holding branch and cornucopiae.G-ENI COL CAE ANTIOCHSNG
Copenhagen 35Red-brown patina.

 

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Well, that is because they are men. A few years back, I attended a conference, "Coinage and Identity in the Ancient World." One of the presenters spoke on Livia. If you limit your view to the constitution, then, yes, she "pulled the strings" without ruling directly. But if you ever held any elective office, then you appreciate the difference between the people who sit at the front of the room and the ones in the audience who really make decisions and get things done. The set of "Rulers of Rome" is not the same as "Emperors on Coins."

Tangentially, few of the Oxbridge guys ever worked behind a sales counter, so they spin airy theories about ancient commerce.

 

I have a couple, none worth posting really though I just havet gotten into them yet.

Faustinia I and II

 

While BustCoinageDude took my favorite Roman woman (Julia Domna) there are several others worthy of special note. When the emperor Aurelian died in 275 AD, there was no successor chosen for several months. Many people believe that his wife Severina was the actual power during this period. Her coins of the last year are considerably more common. My example below shows a Concordia Militum reverse which is unusual for a coin of a woman. The coin to seek out is a Severina dated to year seven (Greek numeral Z) which could have been issued after Aurelian's death. While it is not certain, Severina appears to have been the only woman to rule Rome in her own right. Several ruled through puppet children or grandchildren but that is another post.

 

Excellent responses from all, and nice coins.