Julia Paula, Augusta, 219-220. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.21 g, 11 h), Rome, 220. IVLIA PAVLA AVG Draped bust of Julia Paula to right. Rev. CONCORDIA Concordia seated left, holding patera in her right hand and leaning with her left elbow on throne; in field to right, star. BMC -. Cohen 6. RIC 211. Thirion 456. Very rare with star in field to right. An exceptional piece, lustrous and fresh and with an incredibly sharp and crisp portrait. Struck from a slightly worn reverse die, otherwise, virtually as struck.



Julia Cornelia Paula was the first wife of the emperor Elagabalus, whom he married in 219 shortly after his accession. She came from a distinguished senatorial family: her likely father, Julius Paulus, was of consular rank, and the union was meant to lend Elagabalus legitimacy in Rome after his victory over Macrinus. Paula was honored with the title of Augusta, and her portrait appeared on coins, but her position at court proved short-lived. Within a year Elagabalus divorced her, reportedly on the grounds that she was 'unworthy', and replaced her with the Vestal Virgin Aquilia Severa in a scandalous marriage that outraged Roman society. After her dismissal Julia Paula withdrew from public life, and no further mention of her is found in the sources. Her brief prominence illustrates both the fragility of imperial marriages as political instruments and the eccentric, often destabilizing policies of Elagabalus’ reign.