Whenever I see an unpatinated Sestertius on eBay, I find it hard to resist. So here is my second Julia: IVLIA AVGVSTA / VENVS FELIX Sestertius, Rome 196-211 RIC 866, C 199
There is a bit of variation in the die engraving quality of Julia's sestertii. This is a good one. Mine is what I consider to be a good die from the earlier period and also lacking patina.
Julia´s portrait does look more realistic on your coin and the goddess on the back is a beauty!!! Can her coins be dated by portrait style? Mine looks a little plain and "age-less".
Both have such wonderful portraits. Personally, I would prefer that more realistic/fine artistic style on all of my coins.
While portraits allow some dating, the 196 AD legend change between the two is the big consideration. Many of the earlier dies look older than some of the later ones suggesting to me that the cutters were becoming more familiar with Julia's appearance. I'm not sure exactly when she arrived in Rome but it was probably after the first of her coins were made.
Domna's sestertii under Caracalla are easier to come by, so I always enjoy seeing her large bronzes issued under Septimius Severus. Moreover, I'm a sucker for Venus on coins, so I particularly found @Julius Germanicus 's sestertius appealing. Here's my favorite Venus sestertius of Julia Domna: Rome, AD 194, issue 4 21.41 gm, 28.8 mm Obv: JULIA DOMNA AVG, bare-headed and draped bust, r. Rev: VENERI VICTR SC, Venus, naked to waist, standing r., holding apple and palm, resting l. elbow on column. RIC-842; BMCRE-488; Cohen-195; Sear-6631; Hill-113
Nice coin, you don't see too many Julia Domna sestertius coins. I've been a bit fascinated with Julia Domna's history since I started collecting ancients.
P.S.: Here is my first Julia Domna Sestertius: JVLIA AVGVSTA / VESTA S C Rome, 195 20,5 gr / 29 mm RIC 843, Sear 6633
