Been awhile since I was able to acquire a new ancient coin and it's nice feeling. My newest coin happens to be a fairly rare Julia Domna Tetradrachm. I can't say I won this for a song, but I did big aggressively & ended up getting it for much lower then I expected. It seems these do tend to have some rough surfaces, from the few I found. I did find several fakes of the type but none had the "A beneath eagle’s head", as this does, plus it feels and looks good in-hand. I also included a group shot of all my Julia Domna coins since I never do group photos like many others do. Julia Domna (193 - 217 A.D.) SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Emesa AR Tetradrachm O: OULIA AUGOUSTA, Draped bust right, wearing stephane. R: DHMARC EX OUSIAS, Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; between legs, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Shamash left; A beneath eagle’s head. 10.42g 26mm Prieur 949 Rare Pending Wildwinds Publishing
Mat, Great score, provincial Tets of Julia Domna are indeed rare ! If a high grade example ever came on the market I'd take out a loan to buy it . It's surprising that Septimius Severus never had her depicted on a Syrian Tet , although I believe the two are depicted on very rare Alexandrian Tets. Your coin was obviously struck under the late reign of Caracalla, & shows the debased metal typical of his "war tetradrachms". I was very lucky to put together a family group of Philip I coins from the collection of Michel Prieur. The Tet of Otacilia Severa is pictured in Prieur's book & the other two are pictured in McAlee's book .
Very cool Set @Mat ! Congrats on the capture. Well done. I like her portrayal. Interesting expression. I believe that 'A' under the Eagle's head stands for 'Alegandron'. Just a thought.
It is interesting that the reverse for Julia used the offices of Caracalla ΔHMARX EΞ YΠATOC TO Δ (including the delta for 4th Consulship). I wonder if there are Caracalla coins that die link to this one.
This is why I prefer comments to likes, sometimes it leads to learning something new. Thanks, Doug & Al. I checked the few Caracalla tets I own and sadly none of them are those Prieur. Would have been nice.
Excellent @Mat In the past two years I've put very high (to me) bids on JD syro-phenician tetradrachm but have always been outbid by far. I'm still looking for one that would fit both my taste and my wallet to have the family reunited Q
Beautiful coins. I am still on the hunt for an affordable Septimius Severus Tet. The few I have seen listed end up selling fast.
