POLL: Best Portrait - Julia Domna

These three Julia Domna denarii landed on my doorstep this week, and I thought it would be fun to run a poll to see which portrait would be judged the crowd favorite.

I actually wasn't even looking to add another Julia Domna to the collection, these coins found me rather than the other way around.

Here are the three Domnas...


JULIA DOMNA #1 - Concordia seated



JULIA DOMNA #2 - Cybele seated



JULIA DOMNA #3 - Pietas standing



To clarify, the poll is not for which coin you like best (so disregard condition, reverses, etc), but which portrait amongst the three you'd consider your favorite.

I favour one portrait by some margin, but will be interested to see everyone else's choice. Poll away!

 

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I gotta go with #3. The nose is what does it

 

I like the oriental ones. That one is a gem for the type.

 

#3, with #2 a fairly close second.

Which one are you referring to?

 

I initially thought they were all Rome. #1 is from Laodicea.

 

#3 has a 'character' that appeals to me more than the other two.

 

I think #3 has more gentle features, but I prefer #2 being more bolder, but less cartoony than #1. All gorgeous coins though, Zumbly!

 

To my eyes they are ordered from least to finest style. If I was choosing the one with the finest style I would pick #3. However, it's the unusual style of #1 I like best.

 

Thanks for the votes so far and for sharing your opinions, folks. Voting as it stands right now :

1. JULIA DOMNA #1 - Concordia seated (3 Votes)
   20.0%
2. JULIA DOMNA #2 - Cybele seated (2 Votes)
   13.3%
3. JULIA DOMNA #3 - Pietas standing (10 Votes)
   66.7%

I did expect #3 to be a strong favorite, but right now she's far far ahead of the other two. Please cast a vote if you haven't yet!

 

#3 looks like a girl I might have tried to date in my younger years. The others look like my M-I-L in her younger years.

 

I'm gonna have to go with no. 3, as it is the most veristic; it's also more refined and delicate, showing more care in the die carving, perhaps by a master celator. The others are well preserved, but too exaggerated (well, as far as I know).

 

I like 3 best followed by 2.

 

I like all three of 'em, Z-Bro ... but #3 looks like a sweetie (I chose it)

=> congrats on the new Julias!!

Well, somebody had to crash your thread and add their own example, yes? (it might as well be me, my friend)






... man, my Julia looks like she'd be a tad strict, eh?!!

=> Off with his head!!

 

Yeah, she'd keep those boys of her under control... not.

 

It took long enough!
Man, your Domna has quite the Stare, eh!

 

i voted for the first to be different. has great details, zero wear.

 

I admit that #1 is kinda hot ... kinda like a Daisy Duke version

 

They all look good, but I chose #3 followed by 1 and 2. But by far I like the hair and garb detail the most in #1.

 

I went for #3 as the most 'attractive' and most 'realistic'.....with #1 next as 'pretty' but a bit cartoonish.

Steve's example reminds me of my mother-in-law's expression whenever I popped open a beer while watching hours of football

 

It is not really fair to compare Eastern and Roman mint output. Domna has a huge variation of portraits and they do not follow age. Some mid period coins look younger and prettier than some early ones. Certainly there is room for opinion. I selected #3 but have a few of my own that I like, too. My favorite is the worn Venus reverse sestertius. I would love a high grade coin of that die.

Early-mid Eastern


Typical nice Laodicea


Early Rome


Unusually round


Style looks a bit Roman but it has the shoulder loop for Laodicea. What do you think?


193 Rome sestertius - my favorite die


as old lady after death of Septimius on a dupondius - my best older portrait die