VENUS stands with her back turned, hips bare, holding an apple in one hand — a reference to the mythic “judgment” that named her the most beautiful. In the other, she carries a palm branch, symbol of victory. Her elbow rests against a column draped in fabric, suggesting both softness and structure. Struck during the reign of Septimius Severus (AD 193–211), this silver denarius pairs Venus with the legacy of Julia Domna — the emperor’s wife, known for her intellect, influence, and role in shaping imperial power. This isn’t the Venus of romantic clichés — she’s composed, deliberate, and fully aware of her own agency.