Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus, Denarius

Julia Domna, Denarius, AR, Augusta AD 193–217; Rome mint c. AD 196–211, 3.34 g, 18 mm.

Rome. Obverse legend IVLIA AVGVSTA with draped bust right, hair waved and coiled at the back. Reverse legend FORTVNAE FELICI with Fortuna seated left, holding rudder set on globe and cornucopia. Struck at Rome on a standard denarius flan, die axis typically about 6h for this issue. Reference: RIC IV (Septimius Severus) 552. Julia Domna, a Syrian-born empress and wife of Septimius Severus, became Augusta in AD 193 and featured prominently in Severan propaganda and administration. The FORTVNAE FELICI type aligns with the regime’s emphasis on stability and prosperity after the civil wars, with Fortuna’s rudder and cornucopia symbolizing guidance and abundance. Rome-mint denarii of this period were produced in large quantities for military pay and civic distributions, disseminating the empress’s image and titles across the empire, including her role as Mater Castrorum from AD 195.