I have just bought a second example of the folowing coin type Obv:– IVLIA DOMNA AVG, Draped bust right Rev:– VENVS FELIX, Venus standing left, holding apple in right hand, raising robe with left hand Here is my first example:- and now the coin I have bought as an upgrade I am very happy with my find. Who knows (apart from Doug) why I think that this is a special little find.
Alexandria mint is right. Different dies (note the different reverse legend break) This reverse type with the obverse legend IVLIA AVGVSTA is probably the most common Alexandrian type for Julia Domna. The same reverse with IVLIA DOMNA AVG from Alexandria is really quite rare. Martin
Few realize how rare this coin is. Both are better than mine by a great amount. I still have trouble with how RIC failed to recognize the Alexandria versions of this reverse with the IVLIA AVGVSTA . When I first saw them, I started buying every one I saw including the only 50 cent denarius I bought in the 21st century. After a short while I started realizing how common they were and stopped buying them. All other Domna Alexandria denarii are at least scarce.
Doug, Your example and my second coin share an obverse die and has the same reverse legend break as my first coin but it looks like we have three different reverse dies. Regards, Martin
I keep telling myself to pass on by when I see the common AVGVSTA variety of this type but sometimes they are priced at a level that I can't resist. I have heard of willpower but will have no truck with it! Obv:– IVLIA AVGVSTA, Draped bust right Rev:– VENVS FELIX, Venus standing left, holding apple in right hand, raising robe with left hand Minted in Alexandria. Reference:– BMCRE -. Bickford-Smith pl. 1, 10. RIC IV -. cf RIC 580 (Rome). My newest example:- Previous examples:- I will try and walk past the next one. I need the money to go towards a big ole greek thing of some sort. Martin
I remain amazed that these are as common as they are but still failed to make it into RIC. They seem so obviously from Alexandria and RIC listed several of the rare ones. These are not common in top condition so I'll still pickup coins with good metal and low prices when possible.
My newest example is on a tight flan, has very decent silver and whilst there is some surface dirt it does not detract from the coin. This dirt will probably come away easily. One factor in my buying this is that it was a lone detector find from East Anglia and therefore this coin has done some travelling to be found in the UK.
Another nice find. Indeed, it travel good distance. It's nice to know where they are found, not just where they were minted.
I would like to know how many Alexandria mint denarii have been found in Egypt. Since the Egyptian economy was closed and since we have seen a vastly greater number of these since the normalization of relations with Eastern European nations, I suspect the coins were minted in Alexandria but bulk shipped to the front for use as military pay rather than circulating much near Alexandria. Proving this is altogether another matter.
Doug, I suspect that you are correct. I have bought Emesa and Laodicea mint coins also found in UK. Whilst they seem in a minority compared to Rome mint examples it would appear that these eastern denarii travelled with the troops. Martin
