Description The Roman Empire
Plotina, wife of Trajan
No.: 77
Schätzpreis - Estimate CHF 75000.-
Aureus circa 117-118, 7.38 g. PLOTIN - AE AVG Draped bust of Plotina r., wearing stephane. Rev. MATIDI - AE AVG Diademed and draped bust r. RIC Hadrian 34. BMC Hadrian 53 and pl. 47, 15 (these dies). C 1. Vagi 1321. Calicó 1150.
Extremely rare and undoubtedly the finest specimen known of this desirable coin.
Two extraordinary portraits, perfectly struck in high relief.
Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex NFA XX, 1988, 184 (illustrated on the cover page) and Giessener Münzhandlung 89, 1998, 434 sales. This Aureus conjoins the portraits of Matidia, niece of Trajan (in that she was the daughter of Marciana, the emperor's older sister), and Plotina, his wife. From the marriage of Matidia and L. Vibrio came their first-born, Vibia Matidia, who was subsequently betrothed to Antonius Pius and their second-born, Vibia Sabina, later to become Hadrian's bride. Plotina was famous for the influence she exerted over her husband's decisions (he had been married for several years before coming to power in 98), particularly in his decision to adopt Hadrian as his successor to the throne. It was in fact the Augusta, who had been at her husband's side during the campaign against the Parthi where Trajan met his death, who brought the news of Hadrian's election, along with the urn containing her husband's ashes, to the senate in Rome. Plotina outlived her husband, dying around the age of 60 in 129 A.D., immortalised and honoured after her death. |
