Orbiana. Augusta, AD 225-227. AR Denarius (20mm, 3.29 g, 12h). Rome mint. Special marriage emission of Severus Alexander, AD 225. EF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 819. Estimated: $ 500

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 1 100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Orbiana. Augusta, AD 225-227. AR Denarius (20mm, 3.29 g, 12h). Rome mint. Special marriage emission of Severus Alexander, AD 225. Draped bust right, wearing stephane / Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia. RIC IV 319 (Alexander); BMCRE 287-9 (Alexander); RSC 1. Lustrous. EF.

Sallustia Barbia Orbiana was the daughter of Lucius Seius Herennius Sallustius, an influential Roman senator. In AD 225, when she was about 16, she married the young emperor Severus Alexander, who was about the same age. Their marriage gave every appearance of being tranquil for two years; however, her position theoretically equaled that of the emperor’s mother, Julia Mamaea, the true power behind the throne. Unfortunately, Mamaea could not countenance this. In AD 227, Sallustius was abruptly charged with trying to foment a rebellion with the Praetorian guards, arrested, and executed. The marriage of Alexander and Orbiana was annulled, and she was stripped of her titles and exiled to Libya. Her final fate is unknown. Such were the risks of challenging a jealous mother-in-law.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Three – Lot 588-888 will be held Tuesday morning, 19 May 2026 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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