Julia Domna, Augusta, 193-217. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.66 g, 6 h), Rome, 204. IVLIA AVGVSTA Draped bust of Julia Domna to right. Rev. FECVNDITAS Fecunditas or Terra reclining to left under tree, placing her right hand on globe decorated with stars above which move four children representing the four seasons, her left arm resting on basket of fruits. BMC 21. Cohen 35. RIC 549. Flan crack and struck from a slightly worn reverse die, otherwise, nearly very fine.



This relatively rare and highly interesting reverse type shows Fecunditas, or more probably Terra, as she is reclining beneath a tree, resting her right hand on a star-spangled globe above which are standing the four seasons and her left arm on a basket of fruits. The type is celebrating the founding of a new era, all ushered in by public festivities and Saecular Games, with the implied parallel between the empress and Terra (or Fecunditas).