Roman Silver Antoninianus of Julia Soaemias (about 1,800 years ago)
This silver-washed coin is an Antoninianus featuring Julia Soaemias, an influential imperial woman who served as Augusta (empress mother) during the reign of her son Emperor Elagabalus, approximately 1,800 years ago. It represents the significant political power held by the women of the Severan dynasty's Emesan branch.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Julia Soaemias with a crescent moon beneath, wearing a diadem or stephane (crown), with her name and titles in Latin around the edge.
Back side: Likely features a Roman goddess (possibly Venus, Juno, or Vesta) or personification of a virtue with accompanying inscriptions.
Technical Details:
Silver-washed bronze composition (debased silver content)
Denomination: Antoninianus (double denarius, though with reduced silver content)
Weight: Approximately 3-5 grams
Diameter: Approximately 22-23 mm
NGC Certified and slabbed for authentication and preservation
Minted between 218-222 CE
Condition as specified by NGC certification
Historical Significance: Julia Soaemias was part of the powerful Syrian-born Emesan dynasty that included several influential imperial women. As mother to Emperor Elagabalus, she helped orchestrate his rise to power at age 14. Their introduction of eastern religious practices centered on the sun god Elagabal, combined with the emperor's unconventional behavior and sexual scandals, provoked strong opposition in Rome. Both were assassinated by the Praetorian Guard in 222 CE and subjected to damnatio memoriae (condemnation of memory), with their images and names officially erased from public records and monuments throughout the empire.
This silver-washed coin is an Antoninianus featuring Julia Soaemias, an influential imperial woman who served as Augusta (empress mother) during the reign of her son Emperor Elagabalus, approximately 1,800 years ago. It represents the significant political power held by the women of the Severan dynasty's Emesan branch.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Julia Soaemias with a crescent moon beneath, wearing a diadem or stephane (crown), with her name and titles in Latin around the edge.
Back side: Likely features a Roman goddess (possibly Venus, Juno, or Vesta) or personification of a virtue with accompanying inscriptions.
Technical Details:
Silver-washed bronze composition (debased silver content)
Denomination: Antoninianus (double denarius, though with reduced silver content)
Weight: Approximately 3-5 grams
Diameter: Approximately 22-23 mm
NGC Certified and slabbed for authentication and preservation
Minted between 218-222 CE
Condition as specified by NGC certification
Historical Significance: Julia Soaemias was part of the powerful Syrian-born Emesan dynasty that included several influential imperial women. As mother to Emperor Elagabalus, she helped orchestrate his rise to power at age 14. Their introduction of eastern religious practices centered on the sun god Elagabal, combined with the emperor's unconventional behavior and sexual scandals, provoked strong opposition in Rome. Both were assassinated by the Praetorian Guard in 222 CE and subjected to damnatio memoriae (condemnation of memory), with their images and names officially erased from public records and monuments throughout the empire.
This silver-washed coin is an Antoninianus featuring Julia Soaemias, an influential imperial woman who served as Augusta (empress mother) during the reign of her son Emperor Elagabalus, approximately 1,800 years ago. It represents the significant political power held by the women of the Severan dynasty's Emesan branch.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Julia Soaemias with a crescent moon beneath, wearing a diadem or stephane (crown), with her name and titles in Latin around the edge.
Back side: Likely features a Roman goddess (possibly Venus, Juno, or Vesta) or personification of a virtue with accompanying inscriptions.
Technical Details:
Silver-washed bronze composition (debased silver content)
Denomination: Antoninianus (double denarius, though with reduced silver content)
Weight: Approximately 3-5 grams
Diameter: Approximately 22-23 mm
NGC Certified and slabbed for authentication and preservation
Minted between 218-222 CE
Condition as specified by NGC certification
Historical Significance: Julia Soaemias was part of the powerful Syrian-born Emesan dynasty that included several influential imperial women. As mother to Emperor Elagabalus, she helped orchestrate his rise to power at age 14. Their introduction of eastern religious practices centered on the sun god Elagabal, combined with the emperor's unconventional behavior and sexual scandals, provoked strong opposition in Rome. Both were assassinated by the Praetorian Guard in 222 CE and subjected to damnatio memoriae (condemnation of memory), with their images and names officially erased from public records and monuments throughout the empire.
