196 NGC ChVF Julia Domna Denarius Roman Empire Happy Venus Felix Laodicea (22030701C)
Empress Julia Domna Roman Empire silver denarius coin.
Minted at Laodicea between 196 to 202 CE during the reign of her husband Emperor Septimius Severus.
Approx. 17 x 20mm, 2.72g, RIC 646 (rated as Scarce), RSC 197.
Certified by NGC to Ch VF.
Pedigree: Ex. Harlan Berk sale.
Obverse: JULIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right with hair braided in waves and tucked into a large chignon.
Reverse: VENVS FELIX, Venus standing front, head left, holding apple and scepter.
Venus was the goddess of love, sex, beauty, and fertility. She was the Roman counterpart to the Greek Aphrodite. However, Roman Venus had many abilities beyond the Greek Aphrodite; she was a goddess of victory, fertility, and even prostitution. The use of "FELIX" denotes a happy or lucky Venus.