Roman Imperial Coins

Lot # 516 - LUCILLA (Augusta, 164-182). As. Rome. Obv: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F. Draped bust right.Rev: VENVS / S - C. Venus standing left, holding apple and sceptre.RIC 1764 (Aurelius). Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 11.83 g. Diameter: 26 mm.Estimate: € 250

Lot # 515 - LUCILLA (Augusta, 164-182). Denarius. Rome. Obv: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F. Draped bust right.Rev: VOTA / PVBLI / CA. Legend in three lines within wreath.RIC 791 (Aurelius). Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 3.28 g. Diameter: 21 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 514 - LUCIUS VERUS (161-169). Denarius. Contemporary imitation of Rome. Obv: Blundered legend. Bare head right.Rev: Blundered legend. Providentia(?) standing left, holding cornucopia.Cf. RIC 482 (Aurelius; for prototype). Condition: Good fine.Weight: 2.00 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 50

Lot # 513 - FAUSTINA II (Augusta, 147-175). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA. Draped bust right, wearing a double circlet of pearls around head.Rev: HILARITAS / S - C. Hilaritas standing left, holding long palm and cornucopia.RIC 1642 (Aurelius). Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 24.89 g. Diameter: 32 mm.Estimate: € 200

Lot # 512 - FAUSTINA II (Augusta, 147-175). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA. Draped bust right, wearing double band of pearls around head.Rev: FECVNDITAS / S - C. Fecunditas standing right, holding long sceptre and infant.RIC 1638 (Aurelius).From the Alain Lagrange collection, ex Classical Numismatic Group 76 (2007), lot 1501 Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 27.25 g. Diameter: 32 mm.Estimate: € 250

Lot # 511 - FAUSTINA II (Augusta, 147-175). As. Rome. Obv: FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL. Draped bust right.Rev: PVDICITIA / S - C. Pudicitia standing left, veiled, holding out cloak in both hands, right hand raised.RIC 1403 (Pius).Rare Condition: Very fine.Weight: 8.71 g. Diameter: 27 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 510 - FAUSTINA II (Augusta, 147-175). As. Rome. Obv: FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL. Draped bust right, band in hair.Rev: HILARITAS / S - C. Hilaritas standing right, adjusting veil and holding long palm branch.RIC 1396b (Pius). Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 8.82 g. Diameter: 26 mm.Estimate: € 80

Lot # 509 - MARCUS AURELIUS (161-180). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: M ANTONINVS AVG GERM TR P XXIX. Laureate head right.Rev: IMP VII COS III / S - C. Annona standing left, holding cornucopia and grain ears over modius filled with grain ears to left.RIC 1130.Ex Numismatik Naumann 51 (2017), lot 556 Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 24.53 g. Diameter: 32 mm.Estimate: € 500

Lot # 508 - MARCUS AURELIUS (161-180). Dupondius. Rome. Obv: IMP M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXV(?). Radiate head right.Rev: PRIMI / DECEN / NALES / COS III / S C. Legend in five lines within wreath.Cf. RIC 1008. Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 13.57 g. Diameter: 26 mm.Estimate: € 50

Lot # 507 - MARCUS AURELIUS (161-180). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG ARMENIACVS P M. Laureate head right.Rev: TR P XVIII IMP II COS III / S - C. Mars standing right, holding spear and resting hand upon shield.RIC 861. Condition: Near extremely fine.Weight: 23.61 g. Diameter: 32 mm.Estimate: € 250

Lot # 506 - MARCUS AURELIUS (161-180). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: PROV DEOR TR P XV COS III / S - C. Providentia standing left, holding globe and cornucopia.RIC 813.Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker 133 (2007), lot 8903 Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 25.83 g. Diameter: 36 mm.Estimate: € 250

Lot # 505 - MARCUS AURELIUS (Caesar, 139-161). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII FIL. Bareheaded, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: TR POT VIII COS II / S - C. Minerva standing facing, head left, holding owl and spear, shield on ground behind.RIC 1314 (Pius). Condition: Fine.Weight: 22.59 g. Diameter: 32 mm.Estimate: € 50

Lot # 504 - MARCUS AURELIUS (Caesar, 139-161). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII FIL. Bare head right.Rev: TR POT VII COS II / S - C. Minerva standing left, holding Victory, spear and shield.RIC 1308a (Pius).Ex Roma Numismatics XI (2016), lot 819 Condition: Good very fine; smoothed.Weight: 26.93 g. Diameter: 34 mm.Estimate: € 250

Lot # 503 - MARCUS AURELIUS (Caesar, 139-161). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F COS. Bare-headed and draped bust right.Rev: IVVENTAS / S - C. Juventas standing left, holding patera and dropping incense onto candelabrum to left.RIC 1232b (Pius).From the L.A. Lawrence and R.O. Ebert collections; ex Stack´s Bowers and Ponterio January 2013 N.Y.I.N.C., lot 6183; ex Nomos 15 (2017), lot 251 Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 23.53 g. Diameter: 32 mm.Estimate: € 250

Lot # 502 - MARCUS AURELIUS (Caesar, 139-161). Denarius. Contemporary imitation of Rome. Obv: Blundered legend. Bare head right.Rev: Blundered legend. Genius Exercitus standing left, sacrificing with patera over lighted altar to left.Cf. RIC 461 (Pius; for prototype). Condition: Good fine.Weight: 3.36 g. Diameter: 18 mm.Estimate: € 50

Lot # 501 - MARCUS AURELIUS (Caesar, 139-161). Denarius. Contemporary imitation of Rome. Obv: AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F. Bare-headed bust right, with slight drapery.Rev: COS IIII. Goddess standing left, holding patera and sceptre.Cf. RIC 422ff. (Pius). Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.00 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 500 - DIVA FAUSTINA I (Died 140/1). Denarius. Rome. Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA. Draped bust right.Rev: AETERNITAS. Aeternitas (or Providentia) standing left, holding globus and billowing veil.RIC 351 (Pius). Condition: Near uncirculated.Weight: 3.42 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 200

Lot # 499 - DIVA FAUSTINA I (Died 140/1). Denarius. Rome. Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA. Draped bust right.Rev: AETERNITAS. Aeternitas (or Juno) standing facing, head left, raising hand and holding sceptre.RIC 344 (Pius). Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 3.48 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 150

Lot # 498 - FAUSTINA I (Augusta, 138-140/1). Denarius. Rome. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA. Draped bust right.Rev: IVNONI REGINAE. Juno standing left, holding patera and sceptre; at feet to left, peacock.RIC 338 (Pius).Ex Coin Galleries, New York (2003) with ticket Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 3.86 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 497 - DIVUS ANTONINUS PIUS (Died 161). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: DIVVS ANTONINVS. Bare head right, with slight drapery.Rev: CONSECRATIO / S - C. Four-tiered funeral pyre surmounted by facing quadriga.RIC 1266 (Aurelius) var. (no drapery). Condition: Very fine.Weight: 23.16 g. Diameter: 35 mm.Estimate: € 500

Lot # 496 - AELIUS (Caesar, 136-138). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: L AELIVS CAESAR. Bare head right.Rev: TR POT COS II / S - C / CONCORD. Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera and resting elbow on cornucopiae.RIC² 2650. Condition: Good fine.Weight: 28.08 g. Diameter: 31 mm.Estimate: € 600

Lot # 495 - ANTONINUS PIUS, with MARCUS AURELIUS as Caesar (138-161). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III. Laureate head of Antoninus Pius right.Rev: AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F COS / S C. Bare-headed and draped bust of Marcus Aurelius left.RIC 1215. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 26.87 g. Diameter: 34 mm.Estimate: € 400

Lot # 494 - ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). Dupondius. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVII. Radiate head right.Rev: INDVLGENTIA AVG COS IIII / S - C. Indulgentia seated left on throne, extending hand and holding sceptre.RIC 919. Condition: Good fine.Weight: 12.67 g. Diameter: 27 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 493 - ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVII. Laureate head right.Rev: LIBERTAS COS IIII / S - C. Libertas standing right, holding pileus and extending hand.RIC 916a.Ex Salton collection Condition: Good fine.Weight: 21.48 g. Diameter: 32 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 492 - ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVII. Laureate head right.Rev: INDVLGENTIA AVG COS IIII / S C. Indulgentia seated left on throne, holding sceptre.RIC 914. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 24.62 g. Diameter: 34 mm.Estimate: € 75

Lot # 491 - ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). As. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III. Laureate head right.Rev: FELICITAS AVG / S - C. Felicitas standing slightly right, head left, holding caduceus and branch.RIC 679.Ex Salton collection Condition: Very fine.Weight: 10.11 g. Diameter: 28 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 490 - ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III. Laureate head right.Rev: SECVRITAS PVBLICA / S - C. Securitas standing left, holding long sceptre and leaning on column.RIC 641. Condition: Good fine.Weight: 24.34 g. Diameter: 33 mm.Estimate: € 50

Lot # 489 - ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III. Laureate head right.Rev: SALVS AVG / S - C. Salus standing left, holding sceptre and feeding serpent rising from altar to left.RIC 635. Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 24.00 g. Diameter: 32 mm.Estimate: € 150

Lot # 488 - ANTONINUS PIUS, with MARCUS AURELIUS as Caesar (138-161). Denarius. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P. Bare head of Antoninus Pius right.Rev: AVRELIVS CAES AVG PII F COS DES. Bareheaded and draped bust of Marcus Aurelius left.RIC 411c.Ex Joseph Markowitz Collection (1897-1981) Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 3.00 g. Diameter: 18 mm.Estimate: € 125

Lot # 487 - ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). Denarius. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XV. Laureate head right.Rev: COS IIII. Vesta standing left, holding simpulum and palladium.RIC 203. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.20 g. Diameter: 18 mm.Estimate: € 60

Lot # 486 - ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). Denarius. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XIIII. Laureate head right.Rev: COS IIII. Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia.RIC 193. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.54 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 50

Lot # 485 - ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). Denarius. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P. Bare-headed bust right, with slight drapery.Rev: TR POT COS III. She-wolf standing right within cave, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus.RIC 95 var. (no drapery); RSC 915b. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.39 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 484 - ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). Denarius. Rome. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III. Bare head right.Rev: AEQVITAS AVG. Aequitas standing facing, head left, holding scales and sceptre.RIC 61. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 3.36 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 483 - ANTONINUS PIUS (Caesar, 138). As. Rome. Obv: IMP T AELIVS CAESAR ANTONINVS. Bare head right.Rev: TRIB POT COS / PIE - TAS / S - C. Pietas standing left, raising hand before lighted altar and holding box of perfumes.RIC² 2745 (Hadrian). Condition: Very fine.Weight: 15.75 g. Diameter: 26 mm.Estimate: € 240

Lot # 482 - DIVA SABINA (Died 136/7). Denarius. Rome. Obv: DIVA AVG SABINA. Veiled and draped bust right, wearing wreath of grain ears.Rev: PIETATI / AVG. Ustrinum (funerary altar).RIC² 2607. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.38 g. Diameter: 18 mm.Estimate: € 50

Lot # 481 - SABINA (Augusta, 128-136/7). Denarius. Rome. Obv: SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG P P. Diademed and draped bust right.Rev: PVDICITIA. Pudicitia standing left, drawing veil.RIC² 2507. Condition: Good fine.Weight: 3.00 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 50

Lot # 480 - SABINA (Augusta, 128-136/7). Denarius. Rome. Obv: SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG P P. Draped bust right, wearing double stephane with hair piled up and braided.Rev: Ceres seated left on basket, holding grain ears and torch.RIC² 2487.Ex Joseph Markowitz Collection (1897-1981) Condition: Good fine.Weight: 3.14 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 479 - HADRIAN (117-138). Denarius. Rome. Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P. Bare head right.Rev: FORTVNA AVG. Fortuna standing left, holding cornucopia and rudder set upon globe.RIC² 2335. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 3.23 g. Diameter: 18 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 478 - HADRIAN (117-138). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P. Bare-headed and draped bust right.Rev: FELICITAS AVG / SC. Hadrian, togate, standing right with scroll, clasping right hands with Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus.RIC² 2087. Condition: Very fine; smoothed.Weight: 21.81 g. Diameter: 33 mm.Estimate: € 500

Lot # 477 - HADRIAN (117-138). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P. Laureate and draped bust right.Rev: DACIA / S - C. Dacia seated left on rock, holding vexillum and curved sword.RIC² 1650. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 25.61 g. Diameter: 33 mm.Estimate: € 800

Lot # 476 - HADRIAN (117-138). Denarius. Rome. "Restitutor Series" issue. Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P. Laureate head right.Rev: RESTITVTORI GALLIAE. Hadrian standing right, seen from behind, raising Gallia kneeling left.RIC² 1573. Condition: Good fine.Weight: 3.15 g. Diameter: 18 mm.Estimate: € 50

Lot # 475 - HADRIAN (117-138). Denarius. Rome. Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P. Laureate head right.Rev: FORTVNAE REDVCI. Fortuna seated left on throne, holding rudder and cornucopia.RIC² 1405. Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 3.66 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 50

Lot # 474 - HADRIAN (117-138). Ae Medallion. Rome. Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS. Laureate bust right, with slight drapery.Rev: FELICITATI AVG / S - C / COS III P P. Galley left with steersmen and rowers.Cf. RIC² 1285 (Sestertius); RIC² 2856 = Gnecchi p.18, 77 var. (bust and rev. types).Roman medallions, often of large size and struck in bronze, silver or gold, were not simply coins intended for everyday circulation. Their function was primarily commemorative and political. They were produced on special occasions: accessions to the throne, imperial anniversaries, military victories, the inauguration of public buildings, or dynastic events such as births and marriages. For this reason, they display a higher level of iconography and artistic quality than ordinary coinage: high-quality imperial portraits, complex scenes, allegories and depictions of official ceremonies. In Roman society, these objects were donatives, official gifts distributed by the emperor or high-ranking officials to members of the elite, army officers, foreign ambassadors or influential figures. They served as instruments of prestige and propaganda: receiving a medallion signified recognition by the central authority, whilst possessing and displaying it strengthened the bond with imperial authority. They did not circulate as currency, but as symbols of status, remembrance and political loyalty. Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 49.00 g. Diameter: 38 mm.Estimate: € 250

Lot # 473 - HADRIAN (117-138). Denarius. Rome. Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS. Bare-headed bust left, with slight drapery.Rev: LIBERALITAS AVG COS III P P. Liberalitas standing right, empty cornucopia held in both hands.RIC² 1105 (R2).Rare Condition: Fine.Weight: 3.08 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 100

Lot # 472 - HADRIAN (117-138). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS. Laureate and draped bust right.Rev: COS III / S - C. Roma seated left on cuirass, holding cornucopia and victoriola; shield to right.RIC² 875. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 24.53 g. Diameter: 32 mm.Estimate: € 200

Lot # 471 - HADRIAN (117-138). Denarius. Rome. Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG. Laureate head right.Rev: P M TR P COS III. Roma seated left on cuirass, holding victoriola and spear; shield to right.RIC² 541. Condition: Good fine.Weight: 3.17 g. Diameter: 18 mm.Estimate: € 50

Lot # 470 - HADRIAN (117-183). GOLD Aureus. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO AVG DIVI TRA PARTH F. Laureate and cuirassed bust right, with balteus strap.Rev: DIVI NER NEP P M TR P COS / ORIENS. Radiate and draped bust of Sol right.RIC² 50; Calicó 1293.Ex Stack's Bowers The January 2020 NYINC (2020), lot 20108. Hadrian was born in Italica or Rome in 76 AD to an influential family; his grandfather had been a member of the senate. Having soon been orphaned, Hadrian was entrusted to his cousin Trajan, who acted as his tutor and granted him in marriage one of his great-granddaughters, Sabina, in 100 AD. It was therefore quite natural that on Trajan's death Hadrian should succeed him, although he had never adopted him. In fact at the prince's death the senate received letters from Trajan mentioning Hadrian's adoption, but according to Cassius Dio they were signed by his widow Plotina. Probably Lucius Licinius Sura, his future and greatest general, also made great efforts for Trajan to consider Hadrian's candidacy. Hadrian is remembered as a literate monarch, a lover of Greek letters and neosophistic philosophy. The new emperor had a very different political conception from that of his predecessor, beginning with the renouncing of the expansionism so much desired by Trajan in order to focus more on the defense of imperial borders, as evidenced by the construction of Hadrian's Wall. His reign was also marked by the travels he embarked on between 121 and 132, a way of learning about and expressing respect for every corner of the empire. Indeed, he visited numerous regions and garrisons, reserving special interest for the armies and the discipline of the soldiers. Despite his efforts to avoid any armed conflict, Hadrian had to deal with a Jewish revolt that erupted because he had renamed Jerusalem as the Colonia Aelia Capitolina, after his family name, for having a temple dedicated to Jupiter Capitolinus erected there and for forbidding circumcision, a custom he perceived as barbaric, despite not being hostile to Judaism. The revolt was very bloody and led by Simon bar Kochba, who lost his life in the last battle. In internal politics Hadrian gave his best, eliminating unnecessary expenses and undertaking magnificent public works, not only in Rome. He also asked his jurists to collect all edicts that would ensure greater justice for the weaker, but went to the disadvantage of the Senate, which responded with conspiracies. Hadrian managed to escape these attempts and sent all the conspirators to death, earning himself a very bad reputation. For this he publicly apologized and engaged in a series of food concessions to the people, forgave a huge amount of debt, and promised not to use any more violence against the senators. Promise that he did not keep, however, as a result of further conspiracy attempts. In 136 he designated Lucius Aelius Caesar as his successor, but he died two years later. Hadrian, having failed to have children by Sabina, was thus forced to adopt Antoninus Pius, asking him to adopt in turn two other young men, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, son of the late Aelius. He died in 138 after a long and painful illness. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 7.18 g. Diameter: 20 mm.Estimate: € 3000

Lot # 469 - DIVA MATIDIA (Died 119). Denarius. Rome. Obv: DIVA AVGVSTA MATIDIA. Diademed and draped bust right.Rev: CONSECRATIO. Eagle standing left on sceptre, with wings displayed.RIC² 2462 (Hadrian).RareSalonia Matidia was born in AD 68 and was the only daughter of praetor Gaius Salonius Matidius Patruinus and Ulpia Marciana (mentioned in the obverse legend of this coin), the sister of the future emperor Trajan. She married at the age of 13-14 to Lucius Vibius Sabinus, from a powerful family of consular rank. In 83 AD a daughter, Vibia Sabina, the future wife of Emperor Hadrian, was born and her husband died. Matidia married twice more and had three more daughters, including the future grandmother of Marcus Aurelius, Rupilia Faustina. But her other two husbands also soon died. She made her home a literary salon, full of cultured people, and loved palace life, advising the emperor Trajan, and often following him to the battlefields to support him. She is also said to have had a good understanding with the emperor's wife, Plotina, with whom she worked to secure a worthy successor to the throne, opting for Hadrian, who married his daughter Vibia. It is unclear what happened when Trajan died, having fallen ill in Cilicia during the campaign against the Parthians. Hadrian's adoption, according to the historian Cassius Dio, was announced to the Roman Senate with a false letter from Trajan, actually written by Plotina. Hadrian however kept both women close and allowed Matidia to assist him until she died in 119 AD. At her death the emperor granted her a touching eulogy and organised spectacular gladiatorial games, and finally deified her by having a temple built in Rome. Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 3.00 g. Diameter: 19 mm.Estimate: € 1000

Lot # 468 - MATIDIA (Augusta, 112-119). Denarius. Rome. Obv: MATIDIA AVG DIVAE MARCIANAE F. Diademed and draped bust right.Rev: PIETAS AVGVST. Pietas standing facing, head left, placing hands on heads of two children, Sabina and Matidia, to left and right.Woytek 729; RIC 759 (Trajan).RareSalonia Matidia was born in AD 68 and was the only daughter of praetor Gaius Salonius Matidius Patruinus and Ulpia Marciana (mentioned in the obverse legend of this coin), the sister of the future emperor Trajan. She married at the age of 13-14 to Lucius Vibius Sabinus, from a powerful family of consular rank. In 83 AD a daughter, Vibia Sabina, the future wife of Emperor Hadrian, was born and her husband died. Matidia married twice more and had three more daughters, including the future grandmother of Marcus Aurelius, Rupilia Faustina. But her other two husbands also soon died. She made her home a literary salon, full of cultured people, and loved palace life, advising the emperor Trajan, and often following him to the battlefields to support him. She is also said to have had a good understanding with the emperor's wife, Plotina, with whom she worked to secure a worthy successor to the throne, opting for Hadrian, who married his daughter Vibia. It is unclear what happened when Trajan died, having fallen ill in Cilicia during the campaign against the Parthians. Hadrian's adoption, according to the historian Cassius Dio, was announced to the Roman Senate with a false letter from Trajan, actually written by Plotina. Hadrian however kept both women close and allowed Matidia to assist him until she died in 119 AD. At her death the emperor granted her a touching eulogy and organised spectacular gladiatorial games, and finally deified her by having a temple built in Rome. Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 2.73 g. Diameter: 20 mm.Estimate: € 1000

Lot # 467 - DIVA MARCIANA (Died 112/4). Denarius. Rome. Obv: DIVA AVGVSTA MARCIANA. Draped bust right, wearing stephane.Rev: CONSECRATIO. Eagle standing left, head right, wings spread.Woytek 719; RIC 743.The eldest daughter of the senator Marcus Ulpius Trajan and of Marcia, therefore Trajan's elder sister, she inherited her middle name, Marciana, from her mother's paternal ancestors. She married around 63 Gaius Saloninus Matidius Patricius, a very wealthy man, praetor and member of the religious college of the Arvales. From him Ulpia had a daughter Salonina Matidia. After Saloninus' death, Marciana did not remarry, although she had many pretenders due to her prestigious relationship with the emperor and her beauty. However, Trajan respected her wishes and never forced her to remarry. Her daughter Matidia instead married first a Matidius, then Lucius Vibius Sabinus, from a consular family, and from this marriage was born Vibia Sabina, future wife of Hadrian. When Vibius Sabinus died in 84 or 87, Ulpia Marciana with her daughter and granddaughters went to live in the family home of Trajan and his wife Plotina, and later in the palace. After 105 she was elevated to the rank of Augusta by her brother, the first sister of an emperor to receive this title. Although she was initially reticent, she was finally convinced by Plotina and first appeared on coins and depicted by statues. Her portrait is known for its complicated hairstyle with a high diadem. Marciana often travelled with Trajan, who considered her a trusted advisor and often asked her opinion on decisions. He also dedicated two cities to her, Colonia Marciana in Africa, and Marcianopolis in Moesia. She died between 112 and 114, when she was deified at the behest of Trajan, along with their father Marcus Ulpius Trajan. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.20 g. Diameter: 20 mm.Estimate: € 1000