Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 123 23-24 May 2023
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Tranquillina. Augusta, AD 241-244. AR Denarius (20mm, 2.99 g, 1h). Rome mint. Special emission, mid AD 243. SABINIA TRANQVILLINA AVG, draped bust right, wearing stephane / CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera in right hand and cradling double cornucopia in left arm. RIC IV 252; RSC 1a; Biaggi 2395; Hunter 1. Cabinet tone, areas of luster. EF. Attractive portrait. Extemely rare and one of the finest known.
Ex New York Sale XXXIV (6 January 2015), lot 649; Barry Feirstein Collection (Part 1, Numismatica Ars Classica 39, 16 May 2007), lot 153.
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. While there is an abundant provincial coinage for Tranquillina, her Roman issues are exceptionally rare.
Ex New York Sale XXXIV (6 January 2015), lot 649; Barry Feirstein Collection (Part 1, Numismatica Ars Classica 39, 16 May 2007), lot 153.
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. While there is an abundant provincial coinage for Tranquillina, her Roman issues are exceptionally rare.