Ancient Julia—A Remarkable Woman

I purchased this coin last night...
...after reading a comment by our good friend and forum member @Mat about Julia Domna and the Woman Rulers of Rome being an economical and attainable collecting goal. (My apologies! I can't remember in which thread it appeared.) I've seen other versions of this coin but there is something amazing about this one. It's her face in profile—the sunken and tired eyes. I've read about the intrigue that occurred during her reign and the enormous weight she must have endured while being the ruler of Rome. You can see it in her face.

 

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VERY NICE!! That's a wonderful portrait!!! I've been trying to grab a few nice coins of her--- especially with that Venus reverse. One of these days.....

 

I like that weary portrait!

 

Great coin!

 

Thanks, dadams! Weary is an excellent word to describe the look!

 

Nice portrait on the coin. Julia Domna coins are always fun to collect, there are so many to choose from. There are some that makes her look angry, I find those pretty neat too. But I'm still drawn to ones with soft features.

 

Wow, what a fantastic expressive portrait! And I like the way you have presented the coin, lovely backdrop.

 

Nice

 

Well done! Looks like she has a tail on her tail!

Agreed...many of her coins make her a little ragged in the eyes


RI AR Den Julia Domna 200 CE Felicitas Isis Horus RIC 577


RI Julia Domna 193-195 CE AR Den Vesta Palladium.jpg

 

Got love that Paris Can-can look:

 

That is a nice coin. The youngest looking Domna portraits were not the first to be issued. I believe the earliest were made before her appearance was known at the mint. Some even look a bit like Manlia Scantilla. This one is overstruck on what I believe is a Commodus. Early?

Sometimes she was just a little wilder looking (barbarous, even).

 

My Julia Domna looks strict and not too happy.

 

I had a chance to pick up a "perfect" example this morning's Gorny&Mosch auction. Someone bid the price up to high so I did not get her.
Thanks so much for posting all your Julia coins

 

Fifty years ago there were those who proposed that Domna's first coins did not start until 194 AD. For the last ~40 or so, most people give her earliest type (the back side of Venus) to 193 continuing into 194. I'd change your label if for no other reason not to be associated with Philip Hill whose book on this period has more guesses than facts (that may be an opinion but I am not alone in holding it).

 

nice one D Ray, and everyone's. what kind of a reverse is that?

 

Mean Julia



Julia is not amused

 

With a husband like Septimus, and a son /Caracalla....we cannot blame her for being unhappy.

 

Too much silver, let me dilute the thread with a bronze coin

 

Congrats on that fantastic OP-example, D-Ray ...

Ummm, I have one lone example (yah, you've already seen it before ... no judging)



=> thar she blows!!

 

Steve....Funny, I might be getting an aureus of her, same reverse. From that butterfly for aurei trade Looks like that reverse was used for both!