Julia Domna

Rome Mint

The Rome mint produced coins for Julia Domna from the beginning of the reign of Septimius Severus in 193 AD until the death of her son Caracalla in 217 AD. This long period resulted in a wide variety of issues and portrait styles. Oddly enough the youngest looking portraits are not from the start of the reign. Perhaps this can be attributed to the die cutters not being familiar with her appearance at the beginning and possibly the young and beautiful portraits were simply to flatter the empress.
Three obverse legends were used. From 193 AD until 196 AD the legend was IVLIADO-MNAAVG with the split between the 'O' and the 'M'. There is one die known with the 'M' cut next to the 'O' but the style shows it is an error correction of an omitted letter. From 196 AD until the death of Septimius in 211 AD the legend was IVLIA AVGVSTA . During the reign of Caracalla the legend was IVLIAPIA FELIXAVG. Reverse types are consistently feminine in nature without the overlap of types of Septimius found from the Eastern mints.

The early issues (193-196 AD- IVLIADO MNAAVG)


The first (and most common) type used was Venus from the rear. These are available in a great variety of styles. This early style shows an old portrait (like Manlia Scantilla?) and is overstruck on an earlier coin (Commodus?).	At Rome, the drape on Venus regularly hangs down either to the right or the left but rarely on both sides as shown on this unusual example. Most 'two tail' drape denarii are from the Eastern mints. More study might show this to be a secret mark of the officina.

Two other types using the first (IVLIADO MNAAVG) legend


The scarce type of the first legend coins from Rome shows Fecunditas seated with two childern. The coin was issued before Caracalla was made Caesar but is an early hint of the dream of a Severan dynasty.	Last of the early types, Vesta is found both with the first legend and with the later IVLIA AVGVSTA. This type also uses a 'code' of the drapery (here shown on the right but absent on some coins).

Portraits from the middle period (196 AD and after - IVLIA AVGVSTA)
There are many types and styles of these with various levels of workmanship.


A very common type shows Isis suckling the infant Horus. This illustrates the popularity of the Egyptian dieties during this period.	The Hilaritas reverse is frequently found with portraits of much worse style than this. Some are so unflattering that it is hard to believe that they were tolerated by Julia.

Julia is honored with the title MATER CASTRORVM (mother of the camp) and accompanied Septimius on his military ventures.	The common VENVS FELIX type was struck at all mints. Compare this coin to my examples from Alexandria and Syria.

Later Julia types


Beginning late in Septimius' reign, Julia is shown with a modified hair style. This coin shows the IVLIA AVGVSTA legend with the late hairstyle so it dates to the period shortly before her husband's death in 211 AD. By this time, Julia is shown thin and aging.	Coins issued after the death of Septimius use the legend IVLIAPIA FELIXAVG. The hair style continues as on the last issues under Septimius. The mint also produced the new double denarius known to collectors as the Antoninianus. For the first time, the double denomination for an empress is distinguished by the diadem and a crescent under the bust.

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