Marciana, sister of Trajan. Sestertius 113-117, Æ 28.96 g. DIVA AVGVSTA – MARCIANA Diademed and draped bust r. Rev. CONSECRATIO Eagle, with spread wings, standing r. with head l.; in exergue, S C. C 6 var. (eagle l.). BMC Trajan 1084. RIC Trajan 748 var. (eagle l.). CBN Trajan 790. Woykek 7161.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, undoubtedly among the finest
specimens known. A superb portrait of finest style struck in high relief and
a lovely brown-green patina. A hairline flan crack at six o’clock on
reverse, otherwise extremely fine

Ulpia Marciana, elder sister of Trajan, born at the latest around 48 AD, probably married C. Salonius Matidius Patruinus (died 78 AD.), to whom she bore a daughter, Matidia. [Plinius (Paneg. 48).]. She tells us of her close relationship with Trajan and Plotina: ‘And does your sister remember to be your sister! One indeed recognises in her your frankness, your sincerity, your faithfulness! Comparing her to your spouse [Plotina], one would be led to ponder what might be more efficacious to living a life of virtue, receiving a model upbringing or a lucky birth […]. All the more worthy of the highest praise, then, must be the fact that no objection or quarrel whatsoever arose between two women of identical social status, living in the same household’. Trajan gave her name to two new colonies: Colonia Ulpia Marciana Traiana (=Thamugadi) and Marcianopolis (=Pvovadya) in Moesia Inf. Although she initially refused the title of Augusta, she accepted it in 105. She was deified at her death.