Ave!

Julia Maesa, Denarius, Pietas Reverse

Silver Denarius; 21mm/2.8gm   Rome Mint, Struck by Elagabalus ca. 218 - 220 AD

Con/ Well-centered, complete legends, lovely portrait, extremely crisp and detailed image of Pietas and her incense-box! Due to the extreme magnification, the surfaces of this coin appear to be somewhat porous. They are not!

OBV/ IVLIA MAESA AVG; Draped bust of Julia right, hair waved and turned up low at the back. right.

Rev/  PIETAS AVG; Pietas, draped, standing left, sacrificing with raised right hand over lighted altar and holding incense-box in left hand.

Ref/ RIC Volume 4b, 263

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.