Matidia. Augusta, AD 112-119. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.20 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Trajan, AD 112-117.

Triton XXV
Lot: 881. Estimated: $ 30 000

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 36 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Matidia. Augusta, AD 112-119. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.20 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Trajan, AD 112-117. MATIDIA AVG DIVAE MARCIANAE · F ·, draped bust right, wearing hair in elaborate coiffure held in place by double stephane with raised “peak” at front, and pearl necklace / PIETAS AVGVST ·, Pietas standing left, placing hands on heads of two children, Sabina and Matidia, who stand on either side, raising hands to her. RIC II 759 (Trajan); Woytek 728.1; Strack 200; Calicó 1157; Biaggi 559; BMCRE 660; BN 910. Lustrous, a few tiny marks on obverse. EF. A superb portrait of exceptional style struck in high relief. Very rare as such.

Ex Triton XXII (8 January 2019), lot 1071; CG Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 80, 20 October 2014), lot 92; Friend of the Romans Collection (Münzen und Medaillen AG 92, 22 November 2002), lot 76; Numismatica Ars Classica 9 (16 April 1996), lot 863.

Matidia, daughter of Marciana and niece of Trajan, proved to be the lynchpin that held together the imperial succession for the next three generations. Matidia was married three times in succession to important Roman Senators, all of whom predeceased her. Vibia Sabina, her daughter by her first husband, was married to the future emperor Hadrian. By her third husband, she bore Rupilia Faustina, who went on to become mother to Faustina the Elder, future wife of Antoninus Pius; she was also the grandmother of Marcus Aurelius and also his wife Faustina the Younger, and thus great-grandmother (on both sides) to Commodus. This aureus was struck to mark Matidia's elevation to Augusta, which she attained after her mother's death. Matidia died herself in AD 119; her son-in-law Hadrian delivered the funeral oration and arranged for her deification.

The final winners of all Triton XXV lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 11-12 January 2022. Triton XXV – Session Three – Roman Republican & Imperatorial Coinage through Byzantine Coinage will be held Wednesday morning, 12 January 2022 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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