Ave!

Julia Domna, Denarius, Mother Venus reverse

AR 20mm/2.3gm    Rome mint, ca. 216 AD, struck under Caracalla.

Con/ Soft strike on the reverse, otherwise, about Very Fine

Obv/ IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG; draped bust right

Rev/ VENVS GENETRIX (= Mother Venus); Venus seated left, extending hand and holding scepter.

Ref/ RIC Vol IVa 388c [caracalla]

Seller's Note/ Sad story concerning this issue. On April 8, 217 AD, in the midst of his campaign against the Parthians, Caracalla was murdered. Julia Domna was at Antioch when her son killed and, when she was ordered by Macrinus to return to Rome, she refused and subsequently starved herself to death.