Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 125 23-24 Jun 2021
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Herennia Etruscilla, wife of Trajan Decius.
Double Sestertius 249-251, Æ 39.67 g. HERENNIA ETRVSCILLA AVG Draped and diademed bust r., set on crescent; hair in plait tied on top of head. Rev. PVDICITIA AVG Pudicitia, draped, diademed and veiled, seated l., holding transverse sceptre in her l. hand and drawing veil from face with r.; in exergue, S C. C 21. RIC 136 a.
Very rare and in exceptional condition, undoubtedly one of the finest specimens
known. A wonderful portrait well struck on a full flan and a superb
untouched light green patina. Extremely fine
Ex Leu sale 52, 1991, distinguished American, 243.
Yet another of the 'blank pages' of Roman history, Herennia Etruscilla may have enjoyed the privileged upbringing of an Etruscan noblewoman, but the end of her days were anything but pleasant. Even though she held the title Augusta and resided in Rome, she was largely powerless because before he left the capital her husband installed Publius Licinius Valerianus (the future emperor Valerian) in a newly created position that gave him almost unlimited authority in the city of Rome. When the news arrived that her husband and eldest son had been killed in a Gothic ambush, Etruscilla and her youngest son, Hostilian might have expected the worst. However, they not only survived, but were honoured by the new emperor Trebonianus Gallus, who did not hail his own wife Augusta, but rather allowed Etruscilla to retain the title. Numismatic evidence shows that Etruscilla probably retained the title into Gallus' reign, for the output for her and Hostilian is higher at Antioch than that of her slain husband and son.
Double Sestertius 249-251, Æ 39.67 g. HERENNIA ETRVSCILLA AVG Draped and diademed bust r., set on crescent; hair in plait tied on top of head. Rev. PVDICITIA AVG Pudicitia, draped, diademed and veiled, seated l., holding transverse sceptre in her l. hand and drawing veil from face with r.; in exergue, S C. C 21. RIC 136 a.
Very rare and in exceptional condition, undoubtedly one of the finest specimens
known. A wonderful portrait well struck on a full flan and a superb
untouched light green patina. Extremely fine
Ex Leu sale 52, 1991, distinguished American, 243.
Yet another of the 'blank pages' of Roman history, Herennia Etruscilla may have enjoyed the privileged upbringing of an Etruscan noblewoman, but the end of her days were anything but pleasant. Even though she held the title Augusta and resided in Rome, she was largely powerless because before he left the capital her husband installed Publius Licinius Valerianus (the future emperor Valerian) in a newly created position that gave him almost unlimited authority in the city of Rome. When the news arrived that her husband and eldest son had been killed in a Gothic ambush, Etruscilla and her youngest son, Hostilian might have expected the worst. However, they not only survived, but were honoured by the new emperor Trebonianus Gallus, who did not hail his own wife Augusta, but rather allowed Etruscilla to retain the title. Numismatic evidence shows that Etruscilla probably retained the title into Gallus' reign, for the output for her and Hostilian is higher at Antioch than that of her slain husband and son.