Juno, the sister and consort of Jupiter, is depicted on a large number of coins, especially as a motif on the reverses of Roman empresses. IVNO AVGVSTAE, "Juno of/for the empress"; Denarius of Julia Mamaea depicting the goddess seated, holding a flower and an infant. On this particular coin Juno is depicted with the attributes of Juno Lucina (see below), who was the protectress of women in childbirth. RIC 341 The goddess is depicted seated or standing, typically holding a patera and a scepter, and frequently accompanied by her sacred bird, the peacock. Juno standing left, holding a patera and scepter. Denarius of Julia Maesa. The reverse features a die-clash, resulting in a ghost-like, incuse reverse image of the obverse portrait. RIC 254. There has long been a connection of Juno to money. In 390 BC, a flock of geese kept in Juno’s sanctuary on Capitoline Hill saved Rome by warning of an impending invasion by the Gauls. The Roman General, Marcus Furius Camillus, built a temple on the hill in gratitude for the Goddess’ warning. Approximately one hundred years later, the first Roman mint was built adjacent to the temple and the coins, struck with the head of Juno Moneta on the face, were called moneta. She has since been considered the protector of money and guardian of finances. For this reason, the epithet Moneta given to Juno has long been considered to be derived from Latin monēre, meaning to remind, warn, or instruct, but many scholars believe it derives from the Greek word μονήρης , meaning alone, unique. Modern issue depicting Juno Moneta. Isle of Man, 1 crown. (Coin photo from online; I do not own this coin). Juno played numerous roles in Greco-Roman mythology and she appears on coins with numerous titles: Regina (Queen of the gods), IVNO REGINA, the Queen of the gods. As wife of Jupiter, she was naturally seen as queen of the Roman pantheon. This Antoninianus of Salonina depicts Juno among the stars, holding a patera and a scepter, and accompanied by a peacock at her feet. RIC (sole reign) 92. Lucina (referring to her role as the presiding deity of childbirth, i.e. “bringing the child into the light”), IVNONI LVCINAE, to Juno Lucina, the "bringer of light. This Sestertius of Julia Domna depicts Juno Lucina seated, holding a flower and a baby. RIC 857. Sospita (the savioress), Juno Sospita was also a protector of women in childbirth. She was worshipped at temple in Lanuvium. She is characterized by a goatskin coat and headdress. This Denarius of L. Roscius Fabatus depicts the goddess on the obverse and a female figure (pregnant?) feeding a snake. Snakes were associated with health in the Greco-Roman world and accompany such health-bestowing deities such as Aesculapius and Salus. Sear RCV 363 (Coin photo from online; I do not own this coin). Conservatrix (in her role as patron goddess and protector of Rome), IVNO CONSERVATRIX, Denarius of Julia Mamaea depicting the goddesss with her usual accoutrements, RIC 343. and Victrix (victorious one). IVNO VICTRIX, Antoninianus of Cornelia Salonina depicting Juno in a military helmet. RIC (joint reign) 31. Post your Junos!!
C RENIUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind REVERSE: Juno Capriotina in biga of goats right, C RENI below goats, ROMA in ex Struck at Rome 138 BC 3.6g, 16mm Cr231/1, Syd 432 CN. BLASIO C. F. ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS CORNELIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Scipio Africanus the Elder right., CN. BLASIO CN.F. before, palm behind REVERSE: Juno, Jupiter being crowned by Minerva; monogram in field, ROMA in ex Struck at Rome 112-111 BC 3.8g, 18mm Crawford 296/1; Cornelia 19 L. THORIUS BALBUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS THORIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Head of Juno Sospita wearing goat-skin headdress, acronym I. S. M. R. behind. REVERSE: Bull charging right, F. above, L THORIVS below, BALBVS in exergue Struck at Rome 105 BC 3.92g, 19mm Cr 316/1, Sydenham 598, Thoria 1 L. THORIUS BALBUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS THORIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Head of Juno Sospita wearing goat-skin headdress, acronym I. S. M. R. behind. REVERSE: Bull charging right, E above, L THORIVS below, BALBVS in exergue Struck at Rome 105 BC 3.75g, 20mm Cr 316/1, Sydenham 598, Thoria 1 L PROCILIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS PROCILIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Bust of Jupiter right, SC behind REVERSE: L PROCILI F, Juno Sospita advancing right with sheild, spear aloft and serpent before Struck at Rome 80 BC 3.7g, 19mm Cr379/1, Syd 771, Procilia 1 T. CARISIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC AR Denarius OBVERSE: Head of Juno Moneta right, slight drapery REVERSE: Implements for coining money: anvil die with garlanded punch die above; tongs and hammer on either side; all within wreath Rome 46 BC 19mm, 3.49 g Crawford 464/2; CRI 70; Sydenham 982a; Carisia 1a
The Canadian "Juno" Awards Roman Collector => sweet OP-examples ... thanks for the opportunity to unleash my Juno junk!!
One of my favorites from last year features the last appearance of Juno Sospita on a Roman coin. She rarely shows up on coins of the Empire. Lanuvium being Commodus's place of birth was the reason for this occasion. COMMODUS AR Denarius. 3.33g, 18mm. Rome mint, Autumn - Dec AD 177. RIC (Marcus Aurelius) 646; Cohen 270. O: L AVREL COMMODVS AVG GERM SARM, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: IVNONI SISPITAE TR P II IMP II COS P P, Juno Sospita, advancing right, brandishing javelin in right hand and holding shield in left; in front, snake. Another Juno I'm fond of : Yeah, not a coin, but apropos to a thread about the goddess of childbirth, pregnant women and family given the movie's themes .
I consider my Domna Juno Regina a rarity because the reverse type is a lot like the common reverse for Manlia Scantilla and the urge to tool a Domna into a Scantilla was hard for many people to resist. Come to think of it, the face on this coin is a little more harsh than Domna might be. Hmmmmm.
I got this one Trebonianus Gallus Coin: Silver Antoninianus IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. IVNO MARTIALIS - Juno seated left, holding corn ears and sceptre. Mint: Mediolanum (252-253 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 4.58g / 22mm / - References: RIC 69.
Martialis is an epithet of Juno that isn't common. I'm not aware of any coins other than this one of Trebonianus Gallus that portray her in this way. Thanks for posting!
How about a hard-to-find Juno from the 2nd Punic War... Campania, Capua Æ Semuncia circa 216-211 BCE, Æ 18.4mm., 4.58g. Obv: Bust of Juno r., holding sceptre on shoulder. Rev: KAPV (in Oscan) Two xoana draped. Ref: SNG ANS 215. Historia Numorum Italy 495. Comment: Rare. Green patina. Obv. Slightly double struck Ex: From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli collection. Notes: When Hannibal occupied Capua during the Second Punic War, he worked with the local Aristocracy and promised to make Capua the capital of Italia, and would raze Rome, once he destroyed the Romans. However, history was different from his promises. After the Punic War, Rome confiscated and tried to destroy all Capuan coinage minted during this time. They wanted to destroy any memory of Hannibal, and to further punish Capua. Consequently, Hannibal occupied coinage from Capua seems difficult to find. Xoana definition: Wikipedia explains it well... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xoanon
Thank you. I have always enjoyed those niche and odd-but-interesting sidebars in history. Capua had been the chief city of Campania for many years prior to the influence of Rome. They defected from Rome in 216 BCE after the Battle of Cannae. I could imagine a dynamic and successful Leader approaching Capua, giving them renewed hope that they could now become the Capital City for Italia, after being overshadowed by Rome for so many years... It was not just fleeting moments during their lives, rather this situation lasted for many YEARS during Hannibals' campaign in Italia during the 2nd Punic War (roughly 216-211 BCE not under Rome's control.)