I cannot at present refer to an engraving of the equestrian statue of
Aurelius, but Mr. Akerman (_Descr. Cat._, i. 280. 12. 14., 283. 10.)
describes gold coins and a medallion of Aurelius, representing him on
horseback; and I find in the plates appended by De Bie to _Augustini
Antiquatum ex Nummis Dialogi_, Antw., 1617, plate 47., one of these coins
engraved. I find the medallion engraved also by Erizzo (last edition, n.
d., p. 335.) who explains it as referring to this statue. He says, however,
that the attribution of the statue was uncertain; and that on a medallion
of Antoninus Pius, which he possessed, exactly the same representation was
found, whence he was inclined to suppose it rather erected for Antoninus
Pius.
I suppose the coins of Domna, alluded to by MR. TAYLOR, are those with the
legend "VENERI VICTRICI." In spite of the attitude, I can hardly think this
intended for Venus Callipyge, from the fact that Venus Victrix is found in
the same attitude on other coins, holding arms; and sometimes again holding
arms, but in a different attitude, and more or less clothed. The legend is
opposed also to this idea. See the coins engraved by Ondaan, or Oiselius,
Plate LII. The coin of Plantilla in Du Choul (l. c. p. 188.) is a stronger
argument; for here is seen a partially clothed Venus Victrix, with the same
emblems, leaning on a shield, as the Venus of Domna leans on a column, but
turned towards the spectator instead of away: thus demonstrating that no
allusion to Callipyge is to be seen in either.
Erizzo (l. c. p. 519.) mentions the discovery at Rome of a fragment of a
marble statue inscribed "VENERIS VICTRICIS."
In the British Museum (_Townley Gallery_, i. 95.) is a bas-relief
representing the building of the ship Argo. There is described in the
_Thomas Catalogue_, p. 22. lot 236., an unpublished (?) medallion of
Aurelius, possibly copied from this very bas-relief. A very doubtful
specimen exists in the Museum of the Scottish Antiquaries, which enables me
to make this assertion, although it is not minutely described in the
catalogue, and is otherwise explained. This is an additional confirmation
of the original statement, and many more might be added but for the
narrower limits allowed, which I fear I have already transgressed.