Jotapian. Usurper, circa AD 248-249. Antoninianus (20mm, 2.84 g, 12h). Nicopolis in Seleucia mint. Near VF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 589. Estimated: $ 3 000

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 6 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Jotapian. Usurper, circa AD 248-249. Antoninianus (20mm, 2.84 g, 12h). Nicopolis in Seleucia mint. IM C M F R IOTAPIANVS AV, radiate and cuirassed bust right / VICT O R IA AV G, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm frond. RIC IV 2b var. (obv. legend); Bland 9 (Obv. die IV/Rev. die vi); RSC 1b var. (same). Dark gray patina, typical rough surfaces, earthen deposits. Near VF. Very rare.

Ex S & S Collection (Triton XXVI, 10 January 2023), lot 805; Classical Numismatic Group inventory 718419 (January 2000).

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 CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Two – Lot 309-594 will be held Tuesday morning, 15 September 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM 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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