Denarius of Julia Mamaea, reign of Severus Alexander - 1966.57

Acquisition number: 1966.57

Other images

Rev.: Juno veiled and draped, holding a sceptre and a patera; a peacock in front

Obv.: Bust of Julia Mamaea r., draped, hair waved and looped in plait on neck. IVLIA MAMAEA AVG(usta).

Rev.: Juno standing l., veiled and draped, with a sceptre in her left hand and a patera (shallow dish for offerings) in her right; peacock in front. IVNO CONSERVATRIX.

Title: Denarius of Julia Mamaea, reign of Severus Alexander - 1966.57

Acquisition number: 1966.57

Author or editor: Beryl Rawson

Culture or period: Roman Imperial

Date: AD 222

Material: Metal - Silver

Object type: Coins - Roman

Dimensions: 20mm (w)

Origin region or location: Italy

Origin city: Rome

Display case or on loan: 7

Keywords: Coin, denarius, Roman, Imperial, Julia Mamaea, Severus Alexander, Juno

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 8212; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 43, pl. 2, no. 43; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) III 35; Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) IV 343 and pl. V.4; Robertson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow 5 vols (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1962-1982) III 163 no. 1.

1966.57

Denarius of Julia Mamaea, reign of Severus Alexander

3.046 g. AD 222

Obv.: Bust of Julia Mamaea r., draped, hair waved and looped in plait on neck. IVLIA MAMAEA AVG(usta).

Rev.: Juno standing l., veiled and draped, with a sceptre in her left hand and a patera (shallow dish for offerings) in her right; peacock in front. IVNO CONSERVATRIX.

Severus Alexander was much influenced by his grandmother Julia Maesa (cf. 1967.17) and his mother Julia Mamaea. He and his mother were murdered in AD 235.

Juno was a frequent reverse type for imperial women. She is here ‘Juno the Preserver’ (cf. Jupiter, 1966.55). The peacock is commonly associated with her. It appeared also on the coins of Julia Domnia and Julia Maesa after their deaths as a sign of their deification.

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 8212; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 43, pl. 2, no. 43; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) III 35; Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) IV 343 and pl. V.4; Robertson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow 5 vols (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1962-1982) III 163 no. 1.