Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 874. Estimate $15000.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $10000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PLOTINA, wife of Trajan. Died 129 AD. Æ Sestertius (28.73 gm). Struck circa 112 AD. PLOTINA AVG IMP TRAIANI, draped bust right, hair elaborately dressed in two tiers over brow, above which is a stephane, and elaborately waved at the back, falling down her neck in a queue / FIDES AVGVST, S C across field, Fides standing right, holding grain-ears and basket of fruits. RIC II 740 (Trajan); BMCRE 1080 (Trajan); Cohen 12. Good VF, mottled dark green patina, minor smoothing in fields, boldly struck obverse with a strong portrait. Exceptional for this issue. Very rare. ($15,000)

Pompeia Plotina, born at Nemausus in about 70, married Trajan before he became emperor. She did not receive recognition on the coinage until 112, the year of family evocation for the emperor, Traianus Maior, Nerva, Marciana, and Matidia. Childless, she was admired for the simplicity, dignity, fidelity, and virtue that she mixed with her beauty. Although she refused the title Augusta in 100, she finally accepted it in 105. Plotina was present at the death of Trajan in Cilicia in 117 and facilitated the adoption of Hadrian as his successor. Hadrian, in turn, honored her on coins in 117-118, and consecrated her upon her death in 121.