© John Conduitt (CC BY-SA)
© John Conduitt (CC BY-SA)
Sestertius - Lucilla VENVS S C; Venus
| Bronze | 25.4 g | 31.5 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Marcus Aurelius (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus) (161-180) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 164-169 |
| Value | 1 Sestertius = ¼ Denarius |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 25.4 g |
| Diameter | 31.5 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#264488 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Venus, draped, standing left, holding apple in right hand and drawing robe over her left shoulder.
Script: Latin
Lettering: VENVS S C
Translation:
Venus. Senatus Consultum.
Venus. Decree of the senate.
Comment
Mass varies: 21.559–31 g;Diameter varies: 29.95–34 mm;
Example of this type:
Münzkabinett der Universität Göttingen
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features an image of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, on one side, and an image of Lucilla, the wife of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, on the other side. This coin was minted during a time when women were often depicted on Roman coins as symbols of fertility and prosperity, rather than as individuals with their own agency and power. The fact that Lucilla is depicted alongside Venus suggests that she was considered a powerful and influential figure in Roman society, and that her relationship with Marcus Aurelius was seen as an important aspect of his reign.
