Description The Roman Empire
Marciana, elder sister of Trajan
No.: 54
Estimate: CHF 40000
d=21 mm
Aureus 112, AV 7.19 g. DIVA AVGVSTA – MARCIANA Draped bust r., hair elaborately dressed, above which crescent-shaped diadem. Rev. CONSECRATIO Eagle with spread wings walking l. on sceptre, head to l. RIC Trajan 743. BMC Trajan 648. C 3. Vagi 1325. Calicó 1152a. Kent-Hirmer pl. 78, 273.
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. An outstanding portrait well-struck
in high relief. A few almost invisible marks and matt surface,
otherwise extremely fine / good extremely fine
Historians disagree about the date of Marciana’s death: some place it in 105, the year that she and Plotina jointly took the title of Augusta, while others suggest a date as late as 112 or 114. One of the two later dates seem more likely. This posthumous coinage does represent a novelty in Roman numismatics, for the word consecratio first appears here, and thereafter was employed frequently for posthumous coinages. Following Marciana’s death, her daughter Matidia was raised to the rank of Augusta, and coinage was struck in her name in addition to that already being struck in the name of Trajan’s wife, Plotina. |
