A denarius of Julia Maesa with reverse legend VENVS VICTRIX from the collection of the British Museum

Abstract

The article discusses unique iconography of the denarius of Julia Maesa from the British Museum [inv. 1992,0509.184]. The inscription of the reverse states Venus Victrix however the set of attributes does not match the conventional images of the goddess. This iconographic bricolage of various goddesses can be interpreted in terms of dynastic cult of the empresses of the Severan dynasty but also, as message addressed to Syrian army and population at the time of war against Macrinus. Such possibility would allow to date the coin to the first half of 218.