Obverse: IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVGVSTA, Draped bust of Julia Soaemias facing right.

Reverse: VENVS CAELESTIS, Venus enthroned left, holding apple and sceptre, child standing right at her feet.

RIC: 243. Sear: 7720. BMCRE: 55. [Rome, AD 220].

Diameter: 19 mm. Weight: 2.9 g.

A high quality silver denarius of Julia Soaemias, mother of the depraved emperor Elagabalus. It seems that she encouraged her teenage son’s religious fanaticism and debauched behaviour, making him increasingly unpopular with the army. Less than two years after this coin was struck they were both murdered by the Praetorian Guard, their bodies dragged through the streets and thrown in the Tiber. The obverse has an excellent portrait of Julia with sharp details and areas of iridescent toning. A scarce coin in lovely condition.