The latest Franklin's World comic ... ... reminds me of this denarius! Julia Domna, AD 193-217. Roman AR denarius, 3.07 g, 20.6 mm, 12:00. Rome mint under Caracalla, AD 215. Obv: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: LVNA LVCIFERA, Luna in biga of horses, galloping left, drapery billowing behind head. Refs: RIC 379c; BMCRE 10; Cohen 105; RCV 7101; Hill 1477. Post your Luna/Diana Lucifera coins!!
We got the same one Internet high-five! ROMAN IMPERIAL, Julia Domna. Denomination: AR denarius, minted: Rome, Italy; 211-217 AD Obv: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG: Bust of Julia Domna, hair elaborately waved in ridges and turned up low at the back, draped, right Rev: LVNA LVCIFERA: Luna (Diana?), with crescent on brow, mantle flying behind her, draped, standing left in biga Weight: 3.05g; Ø:19mm. Catalogue: RIC IV 379 C. Provenance: Ex DS ; acq.: 12-2019
JULIA DOMNA Fouree Denarius OBVERSE: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, draped bust right REVERSE: DIANA LVCIFERA, Diana standing left, holding long torch with both hands Struck at Rome, 211-217 AD Struck under Caracalla 3,1 g; 18,3 mm RIC 373A [Caracalla]
Here are two of mine: Gordianus III Denar, Rome Obv.: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: DIANA LVCIFERA, Diana standing right, holding long torch. AR, 2.77g, 18.9mm Ref.: RIC 127 Postumus AR-Antoninian Obv.: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Postumus to right. Rev.: DIANAE LVCIFERAE Diana walking right, holding a long-handled torch in both hands; quiver on her back. Ag, 3.66g, 20mm Ref.. RIC 299, Cunetio 2430
Dark Luna: CARACALLA AR Antoninianus. 5.19g, 24mm. Rome mint, AD 215. RIC 245c; BMCRE 121. O: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P, Luna in biga of oxen galloping left, fold of drapery billowing in semicircle around head. Ex Stevex6 Collection, CNG E-sale 297 (27 Feb 2013), lot 436; ex CNG E-sale 186 (16 Apr 2008), lot 197 Bright Luna: CARACALLA AR Antoninianus. 5.18g, 23.6mm. Rome mint, AD 217. RIC IV 284a corr. (draped and cuirassed; see plate); RSC 396a. O: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. R: P M TR P XX COS IIII P P, Diana Lucifera (or Luna) wearing crescent on head, fold of drapery in circle round head, holding reins and driving galloping biga of bulls left. Ex Michael Kelly Collection
Diana Lucifera: RImp P Clodius Mf Turrinus AR denarius 20mm 3.6g Rome 42 BCE Laureate hd Apollo R lyre - Diana Lucifera torches Cr 494-23 CRI 184 Syd 1117 Luna RR Anon 189-179 BCE AR Den Roma Luna Biga Sear 69 Craw 158-1 RR Furius Purpurio 169-157 BCE Roma Luna Biga Linear Frame murex shell Craw187-1
In the course of rephotographing some neglected coins, I realized this one featured Artemis Phosphoros -- The Greek equivalent of Diana Lucifera! Otacilia Severa, AD 244-249. Thrace, Bizya Æ 23.5 mm, 6.89 gm, 7 h. Obv: M WTAKEIΛIA CEBHPA CEB, diademed and draped bust, right. Rev: ΒΙΖVΗΝΩΝ, Artemis Phosphoros standing right, holding arrow and torch; stag at her feet. Refs: Tachev, Bizija 5 (this coin); Moushmov 3514; Sear GIC 3991; Varbanov 1592; Lindgren II 759; Jurukova 147; Mionnet Suppl 2, 193; RPC VIII, (unassigned; ID 48718); CN 9242; Milano IV/3 --; BMC Thrace --; SNG Tubingen --; SNG Copenhagen --;Wiczay --. Notes: Double die-match to RPC specimen and to Lindgren II 759.
Ever since I read this thread a while back, I've had my eye out for a coin with a Diana or Luna Lucifera reverse. I recently bought one from @John Anthony, and it arrived today. I'm very happy with it. Here it is: Gordian III AR Denarius, 241-242 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, & cuirassed bust right, IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG / Rev. Diana standing facing, head right, holding flaming long torch right with both hands, DIANA LVCIFERA. RIC IV-3 127, RSC IV 69, Sear RCV III 8673 (ill.). 20 mm., 2.7 g., 6 h. (Issued in celebration of marriage of Gordian & Tranqullina, 241 AD. See Sear RCV III 8673 at p. 123.)
