169, Lot: 280. Estimate $150. Sold for $169. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Julia Paula, first wife of Elagabalus. Augusta, AD 219-220. AR Denarius (18mm, 2.88 g). Rome mint. Struck AD 220. Draped bust right / Concordia seated left, holding patera; star to left. RIC IV 211 (Elagabalus); RSC 6a. VF, toned.

From the J. S. Wagner Collection.

Julia Cornelia Paula, of a respected Roman noble family, was married to the young emperor shortly after his arrival in Rome from the east. Within a year, however, Elagabalus put her aside and wed a Vestal Virgin, Aquilia Severa, apparently with the intent of joining the cult of Syrian Elagabal with those of Rome. Although Elagabalus went through a number of wives and lovers of both sexes during his brief but tumultuous reign, he does not seem to have adopted the Roman habit of executing them after separation. As far as we know, Julia Paula and the rest went into undisturbed retirement.