Fouree Denarius of Julia Domna cf. RIC 561

Fouree of a Denarius (18mm 2.66g) Struck after AD 196

Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA Bare-headed and draped bust right

Rev: LAETITIA Laetita standing left holding wreath and rudder

cf. RIC 561
ex. Ernest Miner

The Big Secret: It's an Ancient Counterfeit

In ancient Rome, a denarius was supposed to be a solid silver coin. But a fourrée (pronounced foo-RAY) is a fake!

• How it was made: An ancient trickster took a cheap base-metal core (usually copper) and wrapped a super thin layer of shiny silver foil around it, then stamped it with the official coin designs.
• The giveaway: If you look closely at many fourrées, you can see spots where the silver has worn away, revealing the dark copper underneath. It’s the 1,800-year-old equivalent of a counterfeit bill!

The Front (Obverse): Meet Julia Domna

The words IVLIA AVGVSTA wrap around a picture of a woman's head looking to the right.

• Who is she? This is Julia Domna. She wasn't just anyone; she was the Empress of Rome and the wife of Emperor Septimius Severus.
• Fun Fact: She was incredibly powerful, highly educated, and ran the empire behind the scenes while her husband was away fighting wars. Notice her awesome, wavy hairstyle—she was a major fashion icon in Rome, and women all over the empire copied her hair!

The Back (Reverse): Pure Propaganda

The back of the coin shows a Roman goddess and says LAETITIA.

• What it means: Laetitia is the Latin word for joy, happiness, or celebration.
• The Visuals: She is standing there holding a wreath (symbolizing victory and partying) and a rudder (the steering wheel of a ship).
• The Message: This was ancient PR! The royal family wanted everyone to think, "Hey, look how happy and safe our empire is under our rule! We are steering the ship of Rome perfectly!"