Roman Silver & Bronze

Lot 4128    Session 14 (4.30pm Thursday)    Roman Silver & Bronze

Estimate $120
Bid at live.noble.com.au

JULIA DOMNA, wife of Septimius Severus, (A.D. 193-217), silver denarius, issued 194, Alexandria mint, (2.432 grams), obv. draped bust to right of Julia Domna, around IVLIA AVGVSTA, rev. Venus standing to right, holding apple and left hand drawing out fold of her drapery, around VENVS FELIX, (cf.S.6608, cf.RIC 580 [Severus], cf.RSC 198). Nearly very fine/fine and very rare.

Ex Roger A. Bickford-Smith Collection (CNG Auction 47 lot 1768 part). In the sale of the Bickford-Smith Collection lot 1766 illustrates the style of this mint for an example of this type. CNG notes although not listed in RIC or RSC this is the most common of the Alexandrian mint denarii. Bickford-Smith studied the Alexandria and other Eastern mint issues and published his findings in 'The Imperial Mints in the East for Septimius Severus' in Rivista Italiana 1994/1995 In the Reka Devnia hoard containing 3409 examples of Julia Domna there were no examples noted for this type. They were probably confused with the similar issues from Rome mint.