Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 525 19-20 Oct 2022
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Tranquillina. Augusta, AD 241-244. AR Antoninianus (23mm, 5.59 g, 12h). Rome mint. Special emission, AD 243. Draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent / Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia. RIC IV 249; RSC 1. Toned, minor porosity. VF. Extremely rare.
From the Conti Collection. Ex Astarte XI (12 December 2002), lot 896; Numismatica Ars Classica 2 (21 February 1990), lot 765 (hammer 10.500 CHF).
Furia Sabinia Tranquillina was the daughter of the formidably named Gaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus, a highly respected career soldier of equestrian rank who rose to become Praetorian Prefect under the boy emperor Gordian III. In AD 241, Tranquillina married Gordian, making Timesitheus his father-in-law and guardian, and hopefully setting the stage for a successful dynasty. The next few years appeared to be relatively tranquil, but in early AD 243 Gordian and Timesitheus were forced into arms by an aggressive Persian attack on the eastern frontier. Under the Prefect's guidance, the Romans won a major victory in early AD 244, but at this point Timesitheus fell suddenly ill and died, leaving the young, inexperienced Gordian without his mentor and guardian. In short order he was dead, either slain in battle or the victim of a coup led by his successor, Philip I. It is not known whether Tranquillina was present in camp or back in Rome, but we hear no more of her.
From the Conti Collection. Ex Astarte XI (12 December 2002), lot 896; Numismatica Ars Classica 2 (21 February 1990), lot 765 (hammer 10.500 CHF).
Furia Sabinia Tranquillina was the daughter of the formidably named Gaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus, a highly respected career soldier of equestrian rank who rose to become Praetorian Prefect under the boy emperor Gordian III. In AD 241, Tranquillina married Gordian, making Timesitheus his father-in-law and guardian, and hopefully setting the stage for a successful dynasty. The next few years appeared to be relatively tranquil, but in early AD 243 Gordian and Timesitheus were forced into arms by an aggressive Persian attack on the eastern frontier. Under the Prefect's guidance, the Romans won a major victory in early AD 244, but at this point Timesitheus fell suddenly ill and died, leaving the young, inexperienced Gordian without his mentor and guardian. In short order he was dead, either slain in battle or the victim of a coup led by his successor, Philip I. It is not known whether Tranquillina was present in camp or back in Rome, but we hear no more of her.