Attractively Patinated Paulina Sestertius

Triton XVIII, Lot: 1183. Estimate $3000. Sold for $2600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Diva Paulina. Died before AD 235. Æ Sestertius (30.5mm, 22.22 g, 12h). Consecration issue. Rome mint. 2nd emission of Maximinus I, AD 236. DIVA PAVLINA, veiled and draped bust right / C ONSECR ATIO, S C across field, Paulina, raising right hand and holding scepter in left, seated left on peacock flying right. RIC IV 3; BMCRE 132 (Maximinus); Banti 1. Near EF, choice olive-green patina, areas of minor roughness, traces of earthen deposits.

From the RAM Collection. Ex Triton I (2 December 1997), lot 1578.

Although Paulina’s name is not mentioned by any of the ancient writers, the numismatic evidence is quite sufficient to prove that she was the wife of Maximinus I (235-238 AD) and probably the mother of the Caesar Maximus. A provincial bronze issue in her name from the Cilician mint of Anazarbus actually bears a date corresponding to the year 235/6 AD. Like her Roman issues this coin is posthumous, but it does accord her the imperial title of Augusta suggesting that she was still alive at the time of her husband's accession but died shortly afterward. The single surviving stone inscription in which she is mentioned (CIL x. 5054) gives a fuller version of her name and titles, Diva Caecilia Paulina Pia Augusta.