Julia Soaemias AR Denarius Rome AD 218-222 Venus Caelestis star RIC 241

Julia Soaemias, denarius, silver, Augusta 218–222; Rome mint, AD 218–222; 3.05 g; 19 mm. Obverse: IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG, draped bust right. Reverse: VENVS CAELESTIS, Venus Caelestis standing facing, head left, holding apple and sceptre; star to left. Struck at Rome under Elagabalus; die axis about 6h; centrally struck with complete legends and slight high-point softness. References: RIC IV (Elagabalus) 241.

Julia Soaemias Bassiana, mother of the emperor Elagabalus, was proclaimed Augusta in 218 and played an active role in the Severan court alongside her mother Julia Maesa. Her coinage emphasizes imperial legitimacy and divine support; the Venus Caelestis type, with star, invokes the heavenly aspect of the goddess commonly used for Severan empresses to signal fecundity and protection. She was executed with Elagabalus in 222 during the Praetorian coup that ended his reign.