Artemide Aste s.r.l.
Auction LIV 7-8 Nov 2020
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Paulina, wife of Maximinus I (died 235 AD). AR Denarius. Consecration issue, Rome mint, 236 AD. DIVA PAVLINA. Veiled and draped bust right. / CONSECRATIO. Peacock standing facing, head left, tail spread. RIC 1; C. 1 (Fr. 50). AR. 3.53 g. 20.00 mm. RR. Very rare. A superb example, brilliant and nicely toned, with a hint of iridescence. EF.
Although Paulina's name is not mentioned by any of the ancient writers, the numismatic evidence is quite sufficient to prove that she was the wife of Maximinus I (235-238 AD) and probably the mother of the Caesar Maximus. A provincial bronze issue in her name from the Cilician mint of Anazarbus actually bears a date corresponding to the year 235/6 AD. Like her Roman issues this coin is posthumous, but it does accord her the imperial title of Augusta suggesting that she was still alive at the time of her husband's accession but died shortly afterward. The single surviving stone inscription in which she is mentioned (CIL x. 5054) gives a fuller version of her name and titles, Diva Caecilia Paulina Pia Augusta (Triton XVIII, 1183).
Although Paulina's name is not mentioned by any of the ancient writers, the numismatic evidence is quite sufficient to prove that she was the wife of Maximinus I (235-238 AD) and probably the mother of the Caesar Maximus. A provincial bronze issue in her name from the Cilician mint of Anazarbus actually bears a date corresponding to the year 235/6 AD. Like her Roman issues this coin is posthumous, but it does accord her the imperial title of Augusta suggesting that she was still alive at the time of her husband's accession but died shortly afterward. The single surviving stone inscription in which she is mentioned (CIL x. 5054) gives a fuller version of her name and titles, Diva Caecilia Paulina Pia Augusta (Triton XVIII, 1183).