Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus, Denarius

Julia Domna, Denarius, AR, Augusta AD 193–217, Rome, circa AD 196–211; 3.31 g; 19 mm. Obv. IVLIA AVGVSTA; draped bust of Julia Domna right, hair waved and gathered in a low chignon. Rev. SAECVLI FELICITAS; Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia. Struck at Rome on the standard Severan denarius flan with fabric and style characteristic of the mint. Reference: RIC IV (Septimius Severus) 577.

This issue promotes the Severan message of restored stability after the civil wars of AD 193–197. Julia Domna, a central figure in the imperial court and mother of Caracalla and Geta, appears as Augusta while the SAECVLI FELICITAS reverse proclaims the “happiness of the age,” a formula signaling prosperity and legitimizing the dynasty during Septimius Severus’s consolidation of power at Rome.