Palladium and Victoria

Palladium and...

Palladium was often, and is still regularly confused with a statuette of Victoria. However, these two representations are very different. Palladium, placed between the hands of Vesta is Pallas - Athena's statuette, taken out of Troy , in flames, by Aeneas, in the Roman version of the war of Troy . It carries a round shield and waves a spear. On no account it is not winged, contrary to Victoria .

Its representation is clearly visible on a denarius of Julius Caesar, between Aeneas' hands:


Julius Caesar, denarius, circa 47-46 BC, (Busso Peus)

Thereafter it is especially represented between the hands of Vesta:


Sabina, aureus, circa 129 AD, (Numismatic Ars Classica)


Trajan, denarius, circa 112-114, (Busso Peus)

Roma is represented sometimes while carrying Palladium, but more usually carrying Victoria, what doesn't facilitate its identification.


Antoninus Pius, aureus, circa 145-161, (Numismatic Ars Classica)

...Victoria

The small Victoria, as for it, is always winged, and sometimes represented on a globe, often holding a crown and a palm. It accompanies Roma mainly, the emperor or other divinities.


Nero, denarius, circa 64-65, (Numismatic LANZ)


Hadrianus, denarius, circa 123, (Numismatic LANZ)


Geta, aureus, circa 198, (Numismatic Ars Classica)