Venus was originally an Italic fertility goddess associated with beauty; the favour of the gods; and lush gardens. Over time Venus was identified with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. Depictions of Venus was popular throuhgout the Republican and Imperial eras until the fourth century AD. The denarius on the left, struck by Iulius Caesar during the civil war, alludes to his divine ancestry from Aeneas, son of the goddess Venus and Anchises. The Julian name derives from Aeneas' son, Ascanius, also known as Iulus. The obverse of this coin shows the diademed head of Venus, wearing a necklace, her hair tied in a knot, and locks falling.

On reverse types Republican moneyers often portray Venus driving a chariot. Imperial reverse types usually show her as a victorious protectress of emperors; standing, holding an apple; occasionally she is accompanied by Cupid; sometimes she holds a sceptre or a figure of Victory. The coin on the right, a follis of Galeria Valeria, daughter of Diocletian and second wife of Galerius (AD 305 - 311), depicts a victorious Venus standing facing, holding an apple and raising the drapery of her gown over her shoulder.