New Julia Domna Denarius

Here is another coin I have had for awhile. Actually had this exact type before several years ago but unloaded it in a trade to Forvm. Ended up getting this one dirt cheap and was surprised how much nicer it was in hand, even over my old example.


Julia Domna (194 - 217 A.D.)
AR Denarius
O: IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right.
R: VENUS FELIX (Venus the Fortunate), Venus standing facing, head left, holding apple in right hand and drawing drapery from shoulder.
Rome Mint, 196 - 211 A.D.
3.4g
18mm
RIC IV 580, BMCRE V 85, RSC III 198

 

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I like that younger portrait style, before she adopted the wicker basket hairdo.

 

Sharp coin! The bust is exquisite.

 

Very nice. Love the reverse.

 

This is an outstanding example of this coin from Rome mint. The period is not known for good workmanship so even the irregular flan here is far better than many we see (and better than the ones I have). The VENVS FELIX type was also issued from Alexandria which can be distinguished by the style - particularly the eye. This is by far the most common type of denarius from the Alexandria mint. I bought several before I decided that they were not as rare as people were claiming. RIC does not recognize this type from Alexandria but it is obvious.


The Laodicea (Late Style) mint has a slight variation on the theme adding a staff and is also recognizable by the portrait style with the loop on the neck/shoulder. Mine is a bit above average on portrait style but most coins of this mint are struck better than the other two mints were doing at that time so mine is just average in that regard.


The youngest looking portraits of Julia are not from the first year. I suspect the Rome mint cutters did not realize how young or beautiful she was until about the time the legend changed from the first used IVLIADOMNAAVG (while Venus was still being shown from the other side). Early coins are often not cute.

 

Wow Mat => Julia-D looks quite hot in your new addition (sweet pick-up)

I only have one JD example ...

Sadly, my example has that "don't even think about it!!" look goin' on ...

Julia Domna. Augusta, AR Antoninianus
Rome mint
AD 193-217
Struck under Caracalla AD 215-217
Diameter: 23 mm
Weight: 5.76 grams
Obverse: Draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent
Reverse: LVNA LVCIFERA, Luna, with fold of drapery floating around and above head, driving biga of horses left
Reference: RIC IV 379a (Caracalla); RSC 106a

 

Great new pickup, Mat. The portrait is an absolute stunner!

 

Julia Domna
A.D. 196- 211
AR Denarius
16x18mm 2.8gm
IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right.
PIETAS PVBLICA, Pietas standing left, raising both hands at garlanded altar to left.
Rome mint
RIC IV 574, RSC 156

 

JULIA DOMNA AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right
REVERSE: L-AETI-TIA, Laetitia standing left, holding wreath in right hand, anchor in left
Struck at Laodicea, 198-202AD
2.0g, 18mm
RIC IV 641

 

The other Julia. They both went to FORVM CVTS & CVRLS for the roman perm.

 

I might as well bring out the ole favorite:

JULIA DOMNA AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IVLIA DOMNA AVG, draped bust right
REVERSE: VENERI VICTR, Venus standing right, naked to waist, leaning on column to left, holding palm and apple
Struck at Rome, 194 AD
2.5g, 17mm
RIC 536

 

That should be a favorite. It has nice style on both sides.

 

Thanks Doug, but I remember you have a very nice denarius with a similar reverse other than the one above?

 

Well, aren't you all special with your pretty silver coins. How about a limes denarius...

 

Limes denarius FTW

 

Nice, I'm contemplating on getting a Julia Domna denarius myself. Looks like I'm going to get influenced into buying it.

 

I'm less than certain that this is not just a regular Laodicea denarius that has suffered more than most. I still would not try to clean it since any silver left may not have the design.

 

nice mat, that's a great bust of her!

here's a JD that may look familiar.

 

Great portrait and reverse. I'd to get one similar, as well as one with Venus from behind.

 

You don't want to know how many varieties of this I have. Nice is rare in my collection. Very nice? Not likely. My favorite ones are a pair of 'Eastern' coins with legends and styles not seen elsewhere. They are obverse die links but one uses B's for R on the reverse.


Of course there is the first one I have had (since high school - one of the three coins I saved when I sold off in 1974). In addition to different style (old and tired), it appears to be overstruck on something (Commodus???).



Of my bronzes, the highest grade is the as.


I don't know anyone else who cares about the variations on these common coins. There are a lot of dies from both Rome and the East.