Jotapian. Usurper, circa AD 248-249. Antoninianus (21.5mm, 3.04 g, 12h). Nicopolis in Seleucia mint. Near VF.

Triton XXVI
Lot: 804. Estimated: $ 7 500

Roman Imperial, Silver

Sold For $ 5 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Jotapian. Usurper, circa AD 248-249. Antoninianus (21.5mm, 3.04 g, 12h). Nicopolis in Seleucia mint. IM C M F R IOTAPIANVS A, radiate and cuirassed bust right / VICT OR I A AV G, Victory, winged, draped, advancing left, holding wreath in right hand and palm frond in left. RIC IV 2a var. (obv. legend); Bland 13a/5a (Obv. die VII/Rev. die iv); RSC 1a var. (same). Brown surfaces, thick encrustation on obverse, flan crack. Near VF.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group 112 (11 September 2019), lot 654.

Jotapian led a short-lived revolt in Syria in the autumn of AD 249 while Philip I was still emperor. Little is known of Jotapian’s background. It was said that he boasted of a relationship to Severus Alexander, and his unusual name, although otherwise unknown for a man, is attested in its feminine form "Jotape" in the royal houses of Commagene and Emesa. The revolt was brief, and the crude style proves that the revolt was geographically confined, for Jotapian plainly did not control a major Roman mint. His head was brought to Rome and shown to Trajan Decius "as was customary, although Decius had not asked for it" (Aur. Vict., Caes. 29.4).

The final winners of all Triton XXVI lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 10-11 January 2023.

Triton XXVI – Session Three – Lots 674-990 will be held Wednesday morning, 11 January 2023 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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