Here are two Antoniniani of Caracalla and Elagabalus, which I just bought on Ebay. Nothing special, but nice conditions at reasonable prices: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM // VENVS VICTRIX RIC: 312c I bought this coin because of the Venus Victrix reverse, which I think is particularly attractive and maybe a little less common. IMP ANTONINVS AVG // TEMPORVM FELICITAS RIC: 149 This Antoninian of Elagabalus is quite heavy at 6 gm. I guess the main reason why I bought it, was the relatively low price.
Very nice! Here's a VENVS VICTRIX of the fellow's wife featuring a more peaceful reverse scene. Plautilla, AD 202-205. Roman AR denarius, 3.25 g, 19.6 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 204. Obv: PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust of Plautilla, right. Rev: VENVS VICTRIX, Venus standing left, holding apple in extended right hand and palm in left hand, resting left elbow on shield; at feet, left, Cupid. Refs: RIC 369; BMCRE 429; RSC 25b; RCV 7074; CRE 437.
Not sure, but Venus seems to have shifted more and more towards the coins of emperor's wives in the course of the 3rd century.
Dirk, Nice score on both coins ! Both coins appear to be high-grade gems . The image of Venus on a victory issue does seem odd . A 6 gm weight on a double denarius of Elagabalus is very unusual . Both coins have a great portrait .
Love conquers all. From my point of view (a collector of Julia Domna) Victrix is the common and expected Venus. East Rome Later, but using the nominative:
True, I don't yet have the coin in hand. Maybe the weight is wrong (not that my Chinese scales are particularly reliable).
@Tejas.......Couple of really nice looking coins!..Particularly like the VENVS VICTRIX reverse, lovely detail and style!
Great coins @Tejas ! And @dougsmit , that is a very impressive collection of Venus reverses, thanks for sharing. Here's my Caracalla/Venus Victrix denarius with an interesting flan shape. Caracalla, AR Denarius, circa 213-217 A.D., Rome, (22mm.,3.02g.) Laureate head of Caracalla to right/ Rev. VENVS VICTRIX, Venus standing left, holding Victory and spear and leaning on shield set on helmet. RIC 311b.
My first ancient coin EVER was this Caracalla Victrix denarius. As I understand, Caracalla antoniniani are rather more rare and expensive than the comparable denarius versions.
The reverse isn't much to look at, but here's my Venus Victrix: Lucilla Augusta, A.D. 164-182/3 Silver Denarius Rome mint, A.D. 164-169 Obv: LVCILLA AVGVSTA Rev: VENVS VICTRIX - Venus, standing, facing left, holding Victory in right hand and resting left hand on shield. RIC (Marcus Aurelius) 786 18mm, 2.8g.
