Significance of star placement on J. Maesa Denarius?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Roman Collector, Feb 18, 2017.

  1. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    There are two reverse varieties of this denarius of Julia Maesa, one with the star in the field at right (RIC 271) and one with the star in the field at left (RIC 272). Anyone know the significance of this? They are supposedly (RIC doesn't indicate otherwise) both from the Rome mint, so I don't think they are mint marks. @dougsmit -- do you know?

    Maesa Saeculi Felicitas Denarius.jpg Maesa Saeculi Felicitas Denarius 2.jpg

    And if they are officina marks, why don't other denarii of Maesa have them?

    Maesa Juno Denarius.jpg

    Maesa Pietas Denarius.jpg

    Maesa Fecunditas Standing.jpg
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    And we see the same thing on this denarius of her daughter, Julia Soaemias, but with Venus standing, not Felicitas.

    Soaemias Venus Caelestis Standing Denarius.jpg Soaemias Venus Caelestis Standing Denarius 2 jpeg.jpg
     
  4. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    Since this involves the ladies, perhaps @Mat can shed some light....or even @maridvnvm ????
     
  5. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Not too sure myself, but Julia Paula & Aquilia Severa have star placement right or left as well.
     
    Roman Collector likes this.
  6. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Interesting @Roman Collector ... I really do not collect these, but you had me searching mine!

    STAR:
    RI Julia Soaemias 218-222 CE AR Den Venus Caelestis star RIC IV 241 O-R.jpg
    RI Julia Soaemias 218-222 CE AR Den Venus Caelestis star RIC IV 241


    NO STAR:
    RI Julia Maesa AR Denarius Pudicitia 3.1g 19mm Sear 2183 O-R.jpg
    RI Julia Maesa AR Denarius Pudicitia 3.1g 19mm Sear 2183
     
  7. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Yes! For the Aquilia Severa issues, anyway.

    According to RIC (which, I know, is not the be-all and end-all), the star on the Julia Paula is only on this issue and only in the left field (RIC 311):

    Julia Paula Concordia seated Denarius.jpg

    But this one of Julia Aquila Severa has varieties with star in left field (RIC 225--my example below), star in right field (RIC 226), and without star (RIC 227):

    Aquilia Severa denarius.jpg
     
  8. Aethelred

    Aethelred The Old Dead King

    I am sure there is meaning the the presence or lack thereof of a star, but as to placement in the right vs. left field, I wonder if perhaps a star isn't just a star?
     
  9. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    No idea at all
     
    Roman Collector likes this.
  10. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    If there is a meaning derived from the placement, we will most likely never know.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page