Julia Domna (Augusta, A.D. 193-217).

Julia Domna (Augusta, A.D. 193-217). Silver denarius, Rome mint, struck A.D. 196-211. Obverse: IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right with Julia’s early “ladder-wave” coiffure. Reverse: PIETAS PVBLICA, Pietas standing left before a lighted altar, both hands uplifted in ritual devotion. 17 mm, 3.39 g, die-axis 12 h. RIC IV 574 (under Septimius Severus); BMCRE 69; RSC 156. Good Very Fine, bright silver lightly toned, sharp portrait and complete legends. Ex Euclidean Collection, acquired from John Newman Coins.

Historical note. In the turbulent aftermath of the Year of the Five Emperors, Septimius Severus relied on his Syrian wife Julia Domna to anchor the new dynasty. By placing Pietas Publica—the goddess of public piety—on her coinage, Julia presented herself as guarantor of Rome’s moral order while Severus consolidated power. Contemporary sources describe her presiding over learned salons and accompanying the legions as mater castrorum (“mother of the camps”); the reverse scene of sacrifice and prayer mirrors that active, quasi-priestly role. Denarii that show her first, lower coiffure belong to this formative period of Severan image-making and are scarcer than the later “tower” hairstyle issues, giving the present piece particular interest for the student of imperial portraiture and propaganda.