The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS* Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: See NGC's Census Report for this Coin

Owner's Description

Julia Cornelia Salonina was proclaimed Augusta around 254 AD after her husband, Gallienus, took the throne. The time, place, and circumstances of her birth and death are not known for certain. A few details about her life can be gleaning from coinage, struck from her ascension until Gallienus’ murder in 268 AD. Even so, Salonina's coinage can't tell us much about her as a person, although in this particular example, a double denarius, minted in Rome probably between 255 – 257 AD, she doesn't appear very cheerful. The obverse is otherwise typical for an Empress of the period: her bust sits atop a crescent, representing the moon, and complements the sun crown worn by her husband on his coins (see Gallienus’ double denarius in this NGC Ancients Set for an example). The verso depicts Venus, the Roman adaptation of Aphrodite, the goddess full of persuasive female charm. Venus represented a plethora of related concepts: love, sex, beauty, enticement, and seduction, to name a few. Venus could bring prosperity, good fortune, sexual prowess, and even military victory. The latter guise is Venus Victrix, as depicted on this coin. Venus stands, a shield at her feet, holding a scepter in one hand and a helmet in the other. On other coins, Venus Victrix bears non-military accoutrements, such as an apple and an olive branch. Like most Roman gods, the sultry Venus was multi-faceted, and here she simultaneously represents the beauty and status of the Augusta and her support and harmony with the military. Common with many ancient Roman coins touting harmony with the military, the imagery became an irony. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Salonina, AD 254-268, AR Antoninianus (22mm, 3.49 g, 6h), Rome mint, 2nd-4th emission of Valerian I and Gallienus, AD 255-257, NGC Grade: MS*, Surface: 5/5, Strike: 5/5, Obverse: Draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent, SALONINA AVG, Reverse: Venus standing left, holding helmet and scepter; shield at side, VENVS VICTRIX, References: RIC V 37 corr. (Venus described as seated); MIR 36; RSC 129.

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