Lot 4408

AR Denarius (uncertain mint, probably after AD 211, 3.52 g) – IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG Draped bust right / HILARITAS Hilaritas standing left holding long palm and cornucopiae (rev. RIC 556) – good VF, unpublished, probably unique. This reverse type was struck twice for Julia Domna. First in 196, on Denarii, Aurei, Sestertii and Dupondii at Rome, and on new-style Eastern Denarii. Second in 210-211, only at Rome, on Denarii, Aurei, Dupondii and Asses. Coins of this second issue belong overwhelmingly before Septimius' death, with obverse legend IVLIA AVGVSTA, but rare asses are known from after his death, with obv. legend IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG (e.g. BMC pl. 74.7). This coin seems to be the first attested Denarius of this type from after Septimius' death, corresponding to the rare asses. This specimen looks official, but whether it was an intentional issue of the Hilaritas type on Denarii after Septimius' death, or just a mule struck from a reverse die that inadvertantly remained in use after the type had been suspended, cannot easily be decided.