Ave!

Julia Maesa, Sestertius, Pietas Reverse, Scarce

Orichalcum; 32mm/26.3gm!      Rome Mint, Struck by Elagabalus ca. 218 - 220 AD

Con/ Obverse, Very Fine. Reverse, Yikes! Dark brown patina with brassy highlights.

OBV/ IVLIA MAESA AVGVSTA; Draped bust of Julia right, wearing stephane.

Rev/ PIETAS AVG S-C; Pietas, veiled and draped, standing left holding a perfume box in her left hand and pouring incense with her right hand over a lighted altar.

Ref/ RIC Volume IVb, 414 (Elagabalus)

Seller's Note/ Julia Maesa was a real piece of work; she was the grandmother of Elagabalus and Severus Alexander, sister of Julia Domna, and mother of Julia Soaemias (mother of Elagabalus) and Julia Mamaea. After the death of Julia Domna, she became the matriarch of the Severan line and managed a successful legionary mutiny against Macrinus which swept Elagabalus to power in 218 AD. Embarrassed and fed up by the antics of Elagabalus, she forced another coup that deposed him and Julia Soaemias, in favor of her other grandson, Severus Alexander. Maesa died ca. 223-26 AD, after which she was then consecrated.