Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIV 19-20 Jan 2021
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Orbiana. Augusta, AD 225-227. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.31 g, 6h). Rome mint. Special marriage emission of Severus Alexander, AD 225. SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, draped bust right, wearing stephane / CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia. RIC IV 319 (Alexander); BMCRE 290 (Alexander); RSC 1. Lightly toned. Superb EF. Well struck on a broad round flan, imbuing a medallic quality. Portrait of fine style. Surely among the finest surviving examples.
Ex Nomos 14 (17 May 2017), lot 403; Lanz 62 (26 November 1992), lot 773.
Sallustia Orbiana was the daughter of Lucius Seius Herennius Sallustius, an influential Roman senator. In AD 225, when she was about 16, she married the young emperor Severus Alexander, who was about the same age. Their marriage gave every appearance of being tranquil for two years; however, her position theoretically equaled that of the emperor's mother, Julia Mamaea, the true power behind the throne. Mamaea could not countenance this. In AD 227, Sallustius was abruptly charged with trying to foment a rebellion with the Praeotrian guards, arrested and executed. The marriage of Alexander and Orbiana was annulled, and she was stripped of her titles and exiled to Libya. Her final fate is unknown. Such were the risks of challenging a jealous mother-in-law.
Ex Nomos 14 (17 May 2017), lot 403; Lanz 62 (26 November 1992), lot 773.
Sallustia Orbiana was the daughter of Lucius Seius Herennius Sallustius, an influential Roman senator. In AD 225, when she was about 16, she married the young emperor Severus Alexander, who was about the same age. Their marriage gave every appearance of being tranquil for two years; however, her position theoretically equaled that of the emperor's mother, Julia Mamaea, the true power behind the throne. Mamaea could not countenance this. In AD 227, Sallustius was abruptly charged with trying to foment a rebellion with the Praeotrian guards, arrested and executed. The marriage of Alexander and Orbiana was annulled, and she was stripped of her titles and exiled to Libya. Her final fate is unknown. Such were the risks of challenging a jealous mother-in-law.