Solar Crescents on Roman Coins
This Roman gold aureus of the Severan Dynasty clearly shows the solar crescent on the reverse is originating from the Emperor. The solar eclipse symbolism cannot be more obvious. Geta is on the obverse. Septimius Severus is depicted on the reverse with a radiate crown. The radiate crown on his head represents his power of radiance like the sun. Julia Domna on the reverse is associated with the Roman moon god Luna. The horns up crescent below is always solar as it represents the moon's greatest power, to cover the sun during a solar eclipse. Catholic saints today are always shown with instruments of their martyrdom. They are not deities of the instruments of their death. I view this coin as an assertion by Emperor Severus to reassert his dominance over the empress. Julia Domna was very assertive. Star and crescent motifs were very common on the coins of the Carrhae mint with Caracalla. He was actively engaged with the Parthian Empire in war.
