MAGNIA URBICA (Augusta, 283-285). Antoninianus. Rome.
Obv: MAGN VRBICA AVG.
Draped bust right, wearing stephane and set upon crescent.
Rev: VENVS VICTRIX / K (crescent) Aς.
Venus standing left, holding helmet and sceptre; shield to left.
RIC 343 (Carus).
Condition: Very fine, cleaning marks.
Weight: 3.45 g.
Diameter: 23 mm.
Magnia Urbica was most likely the wife of Carinus and the mother of Nigrinian. Some have argued she was the wife of Carus. The coinage which exists with her image on one side and the other appears to be Carinus. Given that Carus was 60 when he became emperor. Magna’s coinage does not appear until 283 when Carinus becomes emperor. Moreover, Carus never made it to Rome and died in Asia. Propositions that she was the wife of Carus rather than Carinus have no confirming proof other than conjecture.
She was granted the honorifics Augusta, and Mater castrorum, senatus ac patriae, "Mother of the (Military) camp, Senate and Fatherland"
