Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 119 with Jesús Vico S.A. 6 Oct 2020
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Plotina, wife of Trajan
Aureus 117-118, AV 7.24 g. PLOTI – NAE AVG Draped bust of Plotina r., wearing double metal stephane. Rev. MATIDI – AE AVG Diademed and draped bust of Matidia r. C 1. BMC Hadrian 53. RIC Hadrian 34. = RIC II, 2450. Calicó 1150.
Extremely rare and among the finest specimens known. Two extraordinary
portraits of excellent style perfectly struck in high relief. Extremely fine
Privately purchased from Jesus Vico in 1991. This coin is sold with an export licence issued by the government of Spain.
The augustae Plotina and Matidia both had coinages struck during their lifetimes by Trajan, who was, respectively, their husband and uncle. However, most researchers agree that this remarkable aureus was struck in the inaugural year of the emperor Hadrian, who assumed the throne upon the death of Trajan.
Hadrian issued a grand coinage for the newly deified Trajan and for Trajans widow and niece, both of whom had always been strong supporters of Hadrian, and who were still alive during the first years of his principate. It was to Hadrians advantage to honour them, for it showed dynastic continuity and thus legitimised his claim to the throne.
The obverse of this aureus bears a bust of Trajans widow Plotina, the alleged architect of Hadrians succession. The reverse portrays Trajans niece Matidia, whom we are told he treated like a daughter. In addition to being a supporter of Hadrian, Matidia was also his mother-in-law, and she thus provided further proof of his dynastic legitimacy.
Coins like this helped to counter rumours that Hadrians adoption was not official, and that Plotina had delayed the announcement of her husbands death so she could forge a letter of adoption that named Hadrian as his successor. Even the most flattering versions suggest that Plotina went to great effort to convince Trajan, on his deathbed, to adopt Hadrian. The Historia Augusta and Cassius Dio suggest two other men, Trajans brother-in-law L. Julius Servianus and his confidant L. Neratius Priscus, were preferred heirs; and it was also rumoured that he intended to name no candidate at all, and to leave it to the senate to appoint his successor.
Aureus 117-118, AV 7.24 g. PLOTI – NAE AVG Draped bust of Plotina r., wearing double metal stephane. Rev. MATIDI – AE AVG Diademed and draped bust of Matidia r. C 1. BMC Hadrian 53. RIC Hadrian 34. = RIC II, 2450. Calicó 1150.
Extremely rare and among the finest specimens known. Two extraordinary
portraits of excellent style perfectly struck in high relief. Extremely fine
Privately purchased from Jesus Vico in 1991. This coin is sold with an export licence issued by the government of Spain.
The augustae Plotina and Matidia both had coinages struck during their lifetimes by Trajan, who was, respectively, their husband and uncle. However, most researchers agree that this remarkable aureus was struck in the inaugural year of the emperor Hadrian, who assumed the throne upon the death of Trajan.
Hadrian issued a grand coinage for the newly deified Trajan and for Trajans widow and niece, both of whom had always been strong supporters of Hadrian, and who were still alive during the first years of his principate. It was to Hadrians advantage to honour them, for it showed dynastic continuity and thus legitimised his claim to the throne.
The obverse of this aureus bears a bust of Trajans widow Plotina, the alleged architect of Hadrians succession. The reverse portrays Trajans niece Matidia, whom we are told he treated like a daughter. In addition to being a supporter of Hadrian, Matidia was also his mother-in-law, and she thus provided further proof of his dynastic legitimacy.
Coins like this helped to counter rumours that Hadrians adoption was not official, and that Plotina had delayed the announcement of her husbands death so she could forge a letter of adoption that named Hadrian as his successor. Even the most flattering versions suggest that Plotina went to great effort to convince Trajan, on his deathbed, to adopt Hadrian. The Historia Augusta and Cassius Dio suggest two other men, Trajans brother-in-law L. Julius Servianus and his confidant L. Neratius Priscus, were preferred heirs; and it was also rumoured that he intended to name no candidate at all, and to leave it to the senate to appoint his successor.