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Roman Emp., Marciana, Aureus 113

Currency:CHF Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:36,000.00 CHF Estimated At:45,000.00 - 56,250.00 CHF
Roman Emp., Marciana, Aureus 113
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The Roman Empire, Marciana, sister of Trajan, Diva Marciana. Aureus end of 113, AV 7.40 g. DIVA AVGVSTA – MARCIANA Draped bust r., hair elaborately dressed, above which crescent-shaped diadem. Rev. CONSECRATIO Eagle with spread wings standing l. on sceptre, looking backwards. C 3. BMC Trajan 647. RIC Trajan 743. CBN 754. Kent-Hirmer pl. 78, 273. Calicó 1152. Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. An outstanding portrait well struck on a full flan. Usual matt surface and extremely fine Ex NAC sale 46, 2008, 563. 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 seems 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.