Another Julia Domna, but This One is Special To Me

You all know my fascination with Julia Domna since I started getting into Roman coins. I was also into the Three Graces, and when I first found the subject on them I knew I had to have a coin depicting them. At first the ones I saw featured Commodus which wasn't a bad choice, but the price threw me off. Especially since I was just starting my collection.

As far as The Three Graces go, this is the sculpture at The Met. Museum for those that haven't seen it before



and here is a little history about The Three Graces from the Museum

Roman copy of a Greek work of the 2nd century B.C.

These young girls, linked in a dance-like pose, represent The Three Graces: Aglaia (Beauty), Euphrosyne (Mirth), and Thalia (Abundance). They bestow what is most pleasurable and beneficent in nature and society: fertility and growth, beauty in the arts, harmonious reciprocity between men. They enjoyed venerable cults in Greece and Asia Minor. In mythology, they play an attendant role, gracing festivals and organizing dances. Their closest connection is with Aphrodite, whom they serve as handmaidens.
This carefully calculated, frieze-like composition is typical of classicizing art of the second and first centuries B.C. Instantly recognizable, it soon became the canonic formula for representing the Graces, who appeared in every medium and on every kind of object, from mirrors to sarcophagi

When I saw this coin come up I jumped on it. The combination of Julia Domna and The Three Graces on one coin? Pretty good condition plus an okayish price? Its mine.



Markianopolis, Moesia.
193-217 A.D.
AE23 , 6.6g
o: IOVLIA DOMNA CEB, draped bust right
r: MAΡKIANOΠOΛITΩN, the Three Graces standing, Grace 1 with head right, Graces 2 and 3 with heads left, the two outer ones holding vases
Varbanov 889 var.

You know, feel free to post anything related or just anything you want.

 

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That's a sweet coin man. Good find.

 

Avery nice example of a hard to find coin. Congrats

 

Very nice coin, with great detail of the three Graces, some excellent coins come out of Roman Markianopolis.

 

Beautiful coin you got there. I'm glad you were able to add it to your collection.

 

I have one, too!


Julia Domna
Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis
24 mm 8.6 g
Obv: ΙΟVΛΙΑ ΔΟΜΝΑ CΕΒ, Bare-headed and draped bust r.
Rev: ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, Statuary group of the Three Graces side by side.
Refs: Sear Greek Imp 2313; AMNG 603; Moushmov 417.

It looks like before striking, some crud filled up the reverse die in the N at the end of the inscription as well as part of the left leg of the Grace on the right.

You might be interested in this book:

 

Great coin!

 

Gosh, that's a nice one. My Graces are a tad on the undernourished side.

 

that's an awesome provincial! a 3 graces coin is on "the list" , fairly high actually.

 

I am yet to purchase a three Graces coin, but have been very interested since I seen this painting in the naughty section of the Naples Museum.

 

I'm planning on getting the book too, pretty sure there is a lot of coins I would like in it.

 

I just came across a very interesting website in Mythology and coinage well worth a look. http://www.ancientcoinage.org/

 

Wow, icerain => that's an awesome OP-addition (congrats)



Hmmm, I guess I can add my usual ol' Julia-D ...

 

hahaha! u crack me up><

 

yes, shame on ya for looking @ a collared dog><

 

Yes since I added to that thread about a website that has mythological coins every body has looked at my previous post with the artwork instead of my newer one...

 

That's Mark Staal's website (author of the book mentioned above).

It's a very enjoyable site

 

Most of the other artifacts in that room are X rated not suitable for CT, pm me if you would like to see some of the exhibits, this room in Naples was previously off limits to the public until recent years.

 

It is one of the better sites, I found it when I was looking for info on that last Mopsus bridge coin I bought, he has a small section on it in his Cilicia coinage section at the bottom, it also looks like most of the good coins he had up for sale are gone now, guess I was to late again.

 

O, ok yeah i would like to see it i think i've seen some of it, but always glad to look again.