Roman Silver Denarius - Rome 217-193 AD - Julia Domna - Hilaritas

Roman Silver Denarius - Rome 217-193 AD - Julia Domna - Hilaritas

• Obverse: IVLIA AVGVSTA. Bust of Julia Domna, hair waved and coiled at back, draped, right.
• Reverse: HILARITAS. Hilaritas, draped, standing left, holding long palm in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand; two children standing, one to either side.
• Date: 217-193 AD
• Size: 15 mm, 2.8 g
• Composition: Silver
• Internal SKU: 141X312

HISTORICAL NOTE: The Roman Silver Denarius minted during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus and featuring his wife, Julia Domna, serves as a fascinating artifact of early 3rd-century Roman history. Struck between 217 and 193 AD, this coin is emblematic of the Severan dynasty's attempts to promote stability and legitimacy through imperial imagery. The reverse depicts Hilaritas, the personification of happiness and abundance, often intended to symbolize the prosperity of the empire and promote a sense of well-being among the populace amidst the political turmoil of the time. Julia Domna, originally from Emesa in Syria, was not only a powerful political figure but also a patron of the arts and philosophy, reflecting the cultural aspirations of Severan rule. This denarius thus represents not only economic transactions but also the broader narrative of imperial propaganda, familial alliances, and social values within the Roman Empire during a period marked by both ambition and insecurity.