Julia Mamaea, denarius, silver, reign 222–235, minted 230

Julia Mamaea, denarius, silver, reign 222–235, minted 230, weight 3.0 g, diameter 19 mm. Obverse: Diademed and draped bust of Julia Mamaea facing right, legend IVLIA MAMAEA AVG. Reverse: Felicitas seated left, holding caduceus in right hand and cornucopiae in left, legend FELICITAS PVBLICA. Strike: well-centered strike with full legends. Toning: light even silver-gray toning over both sides. References: RIC IV Severus Alexander 338. Julia Mamaea was the mother of Severus Alexander and served as Augusta during his reign. Coins issued in her name, such as this denarius of 230, were struck at the Rome mint and formed part of the wider Severan imperial coinage system. The reverse type of Felicitas was a common motif promoting public prosperity and stability under the imperial administration. This coin represents the political role and prominence of imperial women in the Severan dynasty, as well as the continuing use of silver denarii as a primary medium of Roman monetary circulation during the early third century.