Finest Known Diva Marciana Denarius
Diva Marciana. Augusta, circa AD 105-112/4. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.28 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck under Trajan, 114 AD . DIVA. AVGVSTA MARCIANA, diademed and draped bust right / CONSECRATIO, eagle standing left, head right, wings spread. RIC II 743 (Trajan); RSC 4; BMCRE 650 (Trajan). Superb EF, gold and gray toning. Finest Known.
Ex Numismatic Fine Arts VI, 27-28 February 1979, lot 709
There is very little is in the historical record of Ulpia Marciana, Trajan's sister. Unlike many other imperial relatives during the Empire, she is thought to have been of very high character. During Trajan's reign, Marciana lived as a widow, and did not take another husband. Marciana was a close friend of Trajan's wife, Plotina, and both jointly accepted the title of Augusta in 105 AD (which they had both rejected in 98 AD). The date of her death is debatable, and although some scholars believe she died in the year she was hailed Augusta, her death is commonly placed in 112 or 114 AD.
