Denomination: Silver denarius
Period: Roman imperial
Date: AD 204
Origin: Rome mint
Condition: VF/AVF
Obverse: Draped bust right, PLAVTILLA AVGASTA
Reverse: Venus standing holding apple and palm, resting on shield, Cupid standing left at her feet, VENVS VICTRIX
Size and Weight: 17.5mm, 1.92g
References: RIC 369
Features and Provenance: Fulvia Plautilla was born about 185 and was a true Roman, being raised in the city. Her father was a commander in the Praetorian Guard and he was cousin and friend to the then emperor, Septimius Severus. They arranged for Plautilla to marry Septimius's son and co-ruler, Caracalla, in 202, but it proved to be an unhappy union and Caracalla despised her. In 205, her father was arrested and executed for treachery and she and her brother were exiled. She 2024 was finally strangled, possibly on Caracalla's orders when Septimius Severus died in 211. Her coins are mainly from the reign of her father-in-law, it is unlikely that Caracalla would have honoured her in such a way, although he reigned for another six years and never married again.
Product code: Empress Plautilla Silver Denarius, 2024 Venus Reverse, Rome Mint, AD 204