The Wonderful World of Ancient Coin Collecting
Coinage of the Roman Empire


Obverse
Enlarge  
  
Reverse
Enlarge  

Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch AU Surface: 3/5 Surface: 3/5
Owner: RAM-VT
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Wonderful World of Ancient Coin Collecting
Slot Name: Coinage of the Roman Empire
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Roman Empire Julia Mamaea AD 180–235 AR Denarius RIC 362: Sear #8218 Grade Ch AU - Strike 5/5 - Surface 3/5 Census - NGC does not provide census info on ancient coins :>( The Obv. IVLIA MAMAEA AVG Diademed and draped bust of Julia Mamaea right. The Rev. VESTA, Vesta stg. l., holding patera and transverse sceptera. Vesta was the virgin goddess of the hearth, home, and family in Roman religion. Vesta's presence was symbolized by the sacred fire that burned at her hearth and temples. Julia Avita Mamaea was the second daughter of Julia Maesa, a powerful Roman woman of Syrian origin and Syrian noble Julius Avitus. She was a niece of empress Julia Domna and emperor Septimius Severus and sister of Julia Soaemias. As a member of the Imperial Roman family, she watched closely the death of her cousin Caracalla and the ascent to power of her nephew Elagabalus, the oldest grandson of Julia Maesa and her choice to the throne. Eventually Elagabalus and his mother Julia Soaemias proved incompetent rulers and favour fell on Alexander, Julia's son. He became emperor in 222, following Elagabalus' murder by the Praetorian Guard. Julia and her mother became regents in the name of Alexander, then 14 years old. He never managed to escape her maternal domination, but at first Julia ruled very effectively. She reversed all Elagabulus' scandalous policies, chose 16 distinguished senators as advisers and relied heavily on the famous Lawyer Ulpian. Upon adulthood, Alexander confirmed his esteem for his mother and named her consors imperii (imperial consort). It was in this condition that she accompanied her son in his campaigns: a custom started with Julia Domna. After an inconclusive expedition to repel a Persian invasion in AD 232, mother and son were sent north to deal with a German attack. Alexander so alienated the Rhine legions by his lack of military prowess and his inflexibility towards pay that the troops proclaimed the giant Maximinus as emperor in AD 235. Troops sent to kill Alexander found him clinging to his mother in a tent. Mother and son were butchered together, so ending the Severan dynasty. My cost for this coin was $52

To follow or send a message to this user,
please log in