ROMAN COINS
Diva Marciana, c. 112-117. Aureus (Gold, 20mm, 7.19 g 7). DIVA AVGVSTA MARCIANA Diademed and draped bust of Marciana to right, wearing a necklace of pearls and with her hair elaborately arranged and ornamented with pearls. Rev. CONSECRATIO Eagle standing on a bar and facing with open wings, his head turned to right and his right wing touching the bar. BMC 649. Calicó 1152a. Cohen 3. Hill 570. Kent-Hirmer 273. RIC 743. Woytek 717. Extremely rare. A beautifully centered and elegant coin, with a superb portrait. A few very minor marks, otherwise , extremely fine. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 38, 21 March 2007, 54 and Numismatica Ars Classica 4, 27 February 1991, 357. Exactly when Trajan’s elder sister Marciana died is in dispute: it could have been as early as 105 and as late as 114. In any case, in due course Trajan had her deified and struck coins in her honor, which are the first issue of Roman coinage to bear the soon to become familiar term CONSECRATIO. This piece is one of the finest examples of that coinage known.
Price realized | 140'000 CHF |
Starting price | 80'000 CHF |
Estimate | 100'000 CHF |