I like several women on ancient coins. My favorite is Diana. Her best look is this one with her hair pulled back. ROMAN REPUBLIC. C. Postumius, 74 BC. AR Denarius Obv - Bust of Diana bow behind Rev - Hound running, spear beneath. Cr.394/1a This was one of my first RR denarii. I think the pose is less interesting. ROMAN REPUBLIC. C. Hosidius cf Geta, 68 BC. Obv - Diademed bust of Diana Rev - The Calydonian boar wounded by spear, dog below. Cr.407/2. I like that she is holding a deer by its antlers in this one. Roman Republic Hostilius Saserna 48 BC Obv - Head of Gallia right; carnyx behind Rev - L. HOSTILIVS SASERNA; Diana of Ephesus standing facing, holding stag in right hand and spear in left Crawford 448/3 My second favorite character is Tarpeia. The best of these coins have her hair flying. Next favorite is the snake feeding maiden. Roman Republican L Roscius Fabatus, 64 BC Obv - L ROSCI, Head of Juno Sospita R Rev - FABATI, Girl R feeding snake Cr. 412/1 Post your favorite women on coins.
I just posted photos of both of my Diana coins -- the same types as the first two coins you've posted -- in the "spear" thread, along with my Juno Sospita coin. You can see the photos there. I have so many other coins with women on them (including about 19 different empresses, the last time I counted) that it will be hard to pick out just a few! But I will think on it.
I find the information (and lack of it) on Severina, the wife of Aurelian, quite interesting and empowering. Note: There is evidence that she reigned in her own right for some period after Aurelian's death in 275 AD, which would make her the only woman to have ruled over the entire classical Roman Empire by her own power. Severina, Wife of Aurelian (270-275 AD) BL Tetradrachm, Egypt, Alexandria Struck Year 7, 275 AD (Possibly as sole ruler) Obverse: OVΛΠ CEYHΡINA CEB, draped bust of Severina right, wearing stephane. Reverse: Athena seated left on shield, holding Nike and sceptre. ETOVC – Z (date) across fields (RY 7 = 275 AD). References: Emmett 3963, Dattari 5498, Geissen 3106
Domitian's wife Domitia. Domitia AR Cistophorus Rome mint (for Asia), 82 AD (Domitian) Obv: DOMITIA AVGVSTA; Bust of Domitia, draped r., hair massed in front and in long plait behind Rev: VENVS AVG; Venus stg. r., leaning on column, with helmet and spear RIC 847 (R). BMC 256. RSC 19. RPC 870 (8 spec.). BNC 226. Ex CNG E424, 11 July 2018, lot 471.
Hmmm... Diana: 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 Campania CAPUA AE Uncia 216-211 BCE Diana Boar Hannibal capital Italia SCARCE RR C Hosidius C F Geta 68 BCE Diana bow quiver Boar Hound spear Sear 346 Craw 407-2 RR Allius Bala 92 BCE AR Den Diana Biga Stags Sear 221 Craw336-1 scarce
Similar Goddess to Artemis and/or Diana... Goddess Dali, from Kolchis (remember the Golden Fleece ?) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dali_(goddess) Kolchis 5th-4th C BCE BI hemidrachm 11.5mm 1.8g Archaic female head possibly Georgian goddess Dali - Bull head border SNG Cop 98
Here's my Severina. She's definitely one of the more interesting-looking Empresses. A rather modern-looking face and hairstyle. Severina (wife of Aurelian), billon/AE Antoninianus, 270-275 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Diademed, draped bust right, SEVERINA AVG / Rev. Venus Felix stdg. left holding apple(?) & sceptre, VENVS FELIX. In exergue: Γ [gamma] (Rome, Officina 3). RIC V-1 6, Cohen 14, Sear RCV III 11709. 19 mm., 2.1 g. And just because I'm so very fond of her -- definitely the epitome of a strong woman! -- and of the coin itself, here's Athena again, even though I also just posted this coin in the "spear" thread: Corinth AR Stater. Circa 375-345 BC. Obv: Pegasos flying left, Q below / Rev: Helmeted head of Athena left. Control-symbols behind head: N and Ares standing left holding shield and spear. Pegasi 376; Ravel 1056; BCD Corinth 121; SNG Copenhagen 121. 21mm, 8.46 g., 6h. Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd. Auction IX, 22 March 2015, Lot 168.
My favorite women on coins. Faustina I. She died before she could do anything famous, but Antoninus Pius' devotion to her and massive coin issues for twenty years after her death as well as dedicating a temple to Diva Faustina attest to how much she was loved. Faustina I, AD 138-141. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 24.12 g, 32.6 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 150. Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, Bust of Faustina I, draped and veiled, right. Rev: AETERNITAS S C, Fortuna, draped, standing left, holding globe on extended right hand and long rudder, vertical in left hand. Refs: RIC 1107b; BMCRE 1499-1500; Cohen 8; Strack 1267; RCV 4608 v.; Dinsdale 021000. Notes: Obverse die-match to BMCRE 1499: Julia Domna. By all accounts, she was an intelligent and cultured woman, a patron of the arts and literature. Julia Domna, AD 193-217. Roman oricalchum sestertius, 19.29 g, 29.4 mm. Rome, AD 199. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: VENVS FELIX S C, Venus standing left, holding apple and fold of drapery. Refs: RIC 866; BMCRE 775; Cohen 199; RCV 6632; Hill 387. Faustina II. The only woman in Roman history to be the daughter of an emperor, the wife of an emperor and the mother of an emperor. Through her coinage, she is perhaps best known for her fecundity and variety of hair styles. Faustina II, AD 147-175/6. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 23.49 g, 29.0 mm, 11 h. Rome, AD ca. 174-176. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: MATRI MAGNAE S C, Cybele seated right, holding drum in left hand on left knee; to left and right of throne, lions, seated right. Refs: RIC 1663, BMCRE 932-935; Cohen 169; Sear 5281; MIR 25; ERIC II 205. Julia Mamaea. She was a powerful woman whose guiding influence over her teenaged son, Severus Alexander, provided some stability in a time of extreme instability. Julia Mamaea, AD 222-235. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 15.70 g, 27.4 mm, 12 h. Rome mint, 6th officina, 13th emission, 1st phase, AD 231. Obv: IVLIA MAMA-EA AVGVSTA, Bust of Julia Mamaea, draped and diademed, right. Rev: IVNO AVGVSTAE, Juno seated left, holding flower in extended right hand and swaddled infant on left arm. Refs: RIC 683; BMCRE 759-760; Cohen 33; RCV 8230; Banti 9; ERIC II 54.
Thanks for putting this thread together. Yesterday I read Mary Beard’s “Women and Power”. A short read, I actually listened to the entire thing during my morning run. It was very moving, especially the end where she shares a beyond traumatic experience and how she has dealt with it. It is important that we continue to question the status quo and propel womens empowerment. For ourselves and our society. Talk about a lady who can take care of herself!
This one of Venus reminds me of the song by Shocking blue called Venus. Spain, Corduba Æ Quadrans. Circa 2nd century BC. Head of Venus right; CN IVLI L F Q before / Eros standing facing, head left, holding cornucopiae and torch; [CORDVBA] to right. ACIP 2484; CNH 1. 9.76g, 20mm, 6h.
My favorite Roman empress is Julia Domna. My favorite mint is Alexandria. This is one of my Alexandrian tetradrachms of hers. Year 2 Nike in quadriga
Here are Julia Domna, Julia Maesa, Julia Soaemias, Julia Mamaea, and Julia Paula -- all strong women, except perhaps the last one; I don't know much about her. Julia Domna AR Denarius 208 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right, IVLIA AVGVSTA/ Rev. Hilaritas standing left holding palm branch & cornucopiae, two naked children at her feet, HILA-RITAS. RIC IV-1 557, RSC III 79, Sear RCV II 6587. 19.39 mm, 3.25 g. Julia Maesa (grandmother of Elagabalus & Severus Alexander), AR Denarius, 218-22 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right, IVLIA MAESA AVG / Rev. Fecunditas standing left holding cornucopiae, a child at her feet, FECVNDI-TAS AVG. RIC IV-2 249, RSC III 8 (ill.), Sear RCV II 7749. 20.08 mm., 2.58 g. Julia Soaemias (mother of Elagabalus). AR Denarius 220-222 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right, IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG / Rev. Venus standing facing, head left, holding apple & scepter; large star in right field, VENVS CAELESTIS. RIC IV-2 241 (Elagabalus); RSC III 8b. 18 mm., 2.85 g. Julia Mamaea (mother of Severus Alexander), AR Denarius. Obv. Bust draped right wearing diadem (stephane), IVLIA MAMAEA AVG/ Rev. Venus stdg. front, head left, holding helmet & scepter, shield leans against her at left. VENVS VICTRIX. RIC IV-2 358, RSC III 76 (ill.), Sear RCV II 8216 (ill.), BMCRE 713. 20.5 mm., 2.88 g. Julia Paula (first wife of Elagabalus). AR Denarius 219-220 AD. Obv. IVLIA PAVLA AVG, draped bust right / Rev. CONCORDIA, Concordia seated left, holding patera; star in left field. RIC IV-2 211 (Elagabalus), RSC III 6a, BMCRE 172 (Elagabalus). 21 mm., 2.49 g., 6h.
Nice Julia Domna @dougsmit ! This is the best Julia Domna of a lot of three that I won from CNG . Reminds me of Granny from the show Beverly Hillbillies .
I see the resemblance -- both in your coin and the one of her that I posted. Julia Domna had a bit more influence, though, than Granny and her shotgun. (I'm revealing my age by admitting that I remember that show!)
I am a fan of the 3 graces. They are on several coins, have a statue in the NY Met and even have their own book. Julia Domna are work from Met their book
