Auktion Nr. 144

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
HADRIAN (117-138). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: COS III.
Hadrian on horseback right, raising hand.

RIC² 930; Calicó 1221.

Hadrian was born in Italica or Rome in 76 AD to an influential family; his grandfather had been a member of the senate. Having soon been orphaned, Hadrian was entrusted to his cousin Trajan, who acted as his tutor and granted him in marriage one of his great-granddaughters, Sabina, in 100 AD. It was therefore quite natural that on Trajan’s death Hadrian should succeed him, although he had never adopted him. In fact at the prince’s death the senate received letters from Trajan mentioning Hadrian’s adoption, but according to Cassius Dio they were signed by his widow Plotina. Probably Lucius Licinius Sura, his future and greatest general, also made great efforts for Trajan to consider Hadrian’s candidacy. Hadrian is remembered as a literate monarch, a lover of Greek letters and neosophistic philosophy. The new emperor had a very different political conception from that of his predecessor, beginning with the renouncing of the expansionism so much desired by Trajan in order to focus more on the defense of imperial borders, as evidenced by the construction of Hadrian’s Wall. His reign was also marked by the travels he embarked on between 121 and 132, a way of learning about and expressing respect for every corner of the empire. Indeed, he visited numerous regions and garrisons, reserving special interest for the armies and the discipline of the soldiers. Despite his efforts to avoid any armed conflict, Hadrian had to deal with a Jewish revolt that erupted because he had renamed Jerusalem as the Colonia Aelia Capitolina, after his family name, for having a temple dedicated to Jupiter Capitolinus erected there and for forbidding circumcision, a custom he perceived as barbaric, despite not being hostile to Judaism. The revolt was very bloody and led by Simon bar Kochba, who lost his life in the last battle. In internal politics Hadrian gave his best, eliminating unnecessary expenses and undertaking magnificent public works, not only in Rome. He also asked his jurists to collect all edicts that would ensure greater justice for the weaker, but went to the disadvantage of the Senate, which responded with conspiracies. Hadrian managed to escape these attempts and sent all the conspirators to death, earning himself a very bad reputation. For this he publicly apologized and engaged in a series of food concessions to the people, forgave a huge amount of debt, and promised not to use any more violence against the senators. Promise that he did not keep, however, as a result of further conspiracy attempts. In 136 he designated Lucius Aelius Caesar as his successor, but he died two years later. Hadrian, having failed to have children by Sabina, was thus forced to adopt Antoninus Pius, asking him to adopt in turn two other young men, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, son of the late Aelius. He died in 138 after a long and painful illness.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 7.15 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
HADRIAN (117-138). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P.
Laureate bust right, with slight drapery.
Rev: SPES P R.
Spes advancing left, holding flower and hem of skirt.

RIC² 2356; Calicó 1382.

Hadrian was born in Italica or Rome in 76 AD to an influential family; his grandfather had been a member of the senate. Having soon been orphaned, Hadrian was entrusted to his cousin Trajan, who acted as his tutor and granted him in marriage one of his great-granddaughters, Sabina, in 100 AD. It was therefore quite natural that on Trajan’s death Hadrian should succeed him, although he had never adopted him. In fact at the prince’s death the senate received letters from Trajan mentioning Hadrian’s adoption, but according to Cassius Dio they were signed by his widow Plotina. Probably Lucius Licinius Sura, his future and greatest general, also made great efforts for Trajan to consider Hadrian’s candidacy. Hadrian is remembered as a literate monarch, a lover of Greek letters and neosophistic philosophy. The new emperor had a very different political conception from that of his predecessor, beginning with the renouncing of the expansionism so much desired by Trajan in order to focus more on the defense of imperial borders, as evidenced by the construction of Hadrian’s Wall. His reign was also marked by the travels he embarked on between 121 and 132, a way of learning about and expressing respect for every corner of the empire. Indeed, he visited numerous regions and garrisons, reserving special interest for the armies and the discipline of the soldiers. Despite his efforts to avoid any armed conflict, Hadrian had to deal with a Jewish revolt that erupted because he had renamed Jerusalem as the Colonia Aelia Capitolina, after his family name, for having a temple dedicated to Jupiter Capitolinus erected there and for forbidding circumcision, a custom he perceived as barbaric, despite not being hostile to Judaism. The revolt was very bloody and led by Simon bar Kochba, who lost his life in the last battle. In internal politics Hadrian gave his best, eliminating unnecessary expenses and undertaking magnificent public works, not only in Rome. He also asked his jurists to collect all edicts that would ensure greater justice for the weaker, but went to the disadvantage of the Senate, which responded with conspiracies. Hadrian managed to escape these attempts and sent all the conspirators to death, earning himself a very bad reputation. For this he publicly apologized and engaged in a series of food concessions to the people, forgave a huge amount of debt, and promised not to use any more violence against the senators. Promise that he did not keep, however, as a result of further conspiracy attempts. In 136 he designated Lucius Aelius Caesar as his successor, but he died two years later. Hadrian, having failed to have children by Sabina, was thus forced to adopt Antoninus Pius, asking him to adopt in turn two other young men, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, son of the late Aelius. He died in 138 after a long and painful illness.

Condition: Good very fine.

Weight: 7.13 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
DIVUS ANTONINUS PIUS (Died 161). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: DIVVS ANTONINVS.
Bare head right.
Rev: CONSECRATIO.
Garlanded four-tiered funeral pyre surmounted by facing quadriga.

RIC 435 (Aurelius); Calicó 1491.

Condition: Good very fine.

Weight: 6.48 g.
Diameter: 19 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
★ Attractive Portrait ★
FAUSTINA II (Augusta, 147-176). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL.
Draped bust right.
Rev: IVNO.
Juno seated left with long sceptre and child on knee; in front second child presenting grain ears.

RIC 504; Calico 2060.

Rare.

Condition: Good very fine.

Weight: 6.98 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
★ Rare Variant ★
GORDIAN III (238-244). Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: P M TR P IIII COS II P P.
Emperor standing right, holding globe and trasverse spear.

RIC 105 var. (spear direction); Calicó 3222 var. (same); Calicó 3223 var. (parazonium instead of spear); cf. Roma Numismatics 21, lot 681.

Rare. Born to a daughter of Gordian I, sister of Gordian II, because of the young age at which he came to occupy the throne (13), Gordian did not rule directly, but the Senate did so for him. Gordian had become prince because the Senate needed to placate an uprising of the traditionalist urban plebs, bound to the dynastic ideal, and in order to take advantage of his family’s wealth. Moreover, the praetorians had acclaimed him emperor just to show the Senate that they were the ones who decided who to put on the throne. Among the first moves was the dismissal of the legion in Africa because it had supported Capellianus and led to the deaths of Gordian I and II, who were deified. During his relatively long tenure there were several problems to deal with. In 240 Sabinianus, elected caesar in Carthage, prepared to make war on him, but was stopped by the governor of Mauretania. In the north the barbarians were making constant raids and sacking villages and towns. Gordian was too young to face these problems, but fortunately for him he could count on the diplomatic and military skill of Timesitheus, who had become prefect of the praetorium and granted him his daughter, Tranquillina, in marriage in 241. Rome succeeded in repelling the Persians of Shapur I in 243 thanks to Timesitheus, but on his death he was replaced as prefect of the praetorium by Marcus Julius Philip known as ‚the Arab‘. The latter, however, was not satisfied with this title but aimed at the throne, and he convinced the army that they needed an adult prince and not a boy. Gordian showed maturity and offered to cede the throne to Philip and become his caesar, but he was killed in 244. The Senate was informed that he had died of wounds sustained in a battle against the Persians. His body was sent to Rome where he was deified.

Condition: Near extremely fine.

Weight: 5.08 g.
Diameter: 22 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
GORDIAN III (238-244). Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: AEQVITAS AVG.
Aequitas standing left, holding cornucopia and scales.

RIC 72A; Calicó 3185.

Born to a daughter of Gordian I, sister of Gordian II, because of the young age at which he came to occupy the throne (13), Gordian did not rule directly, but the Senate did so for him. Gordian had become prince because the Senate needed to placate an uprising of the traditionalist urban plebs, bound to the dynastic ideal, and in order to take advantage of his family’s wealth. Moreover, the praetorians had acclaimed him emperor just to show the Senate that they were the ones who decided who to put on the throne. Among the first moves was the dismissal of the legion in Africa because it had supported Capellianus and led to the deaths of Gordian I and II, who were deified. During his relatively long tenure there were several problems to deal with. In 240 Sabinianus, elected caesar in Carthage, prepared to make war on him, but was stopped by the governor of Mauretania. In the north the barbarians were making constant raids and sacking villages and towns. Gordian was too young to face these problems, but fortunately for him he could count on the diplomatic and military skill of Timesitheus, who had become prefect of the praetorium and granted him his daughter, Tranquillina, in marriage in 241. Rome succeeded in repelling the Persians of Shapur I in 243 thanks to Timesitheus, but on his death he was replaced as prefect of the praetorium by Marcus Julius Philip known as ‚the Arab‘. The latter, however, was not satisfied with this title but aimed at the throne, and he convinced the army that they needed an adult prince and not a boy. Gordian showed maturity and offered to cede the throne to Philip and become his caesar, but he was killed in 244. The Senate was informed that he had died of wounds sustained in a battle against the Persians. His body was sent to Rome where he was deified.

Condition: Near extremely fine.

Weight: 4.59 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
★ Bold Portrait ★
GORDIAN III (238-244). Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.

Rev: AETERNITATI AVG.
Sol standing facing, head left, extending arm and holding globe and whip.

RIC -, cf. 97 (no whip); Calicó 3186b.

Very rare. Born to a daughter of Gordian I, sister of Gordian II, because of the young age at which he came to occupy the throne (13), Gordian did not rule directly, but the Senate did so for him. Gordian had become prince because the Senate needed to placate an uprising of the traditionalist urban plebs, bound to the dynastic ideal, and in order to take advantage of his family’s wealth. Moreover, the praetorians had acclaimed him emperor just to show the Senate that they were the ones who decided who to put on the throne. Among the first moves was the dismissal of the legion in Africa because it had supported Capellianus and led to the deaths of Gordian I and II, who were deified. During his relatively long tenure there were several problems to deal with. In 240 Sabinianus, elected caesar in Carthage, prepared to make war on him, but was stopped by the governor of Mauretania. In the north the barbarians were making constant raids and sacking villages and towns. Gordian was too young to face these problems, but fortunately for him he could count on the diplomatic and military skill of Timesitheus, who had become prefect of the praetorium and granted him his daughter, Tranquillina, in marriage in 241. Rome succeeded in repelling the Persians of Shapur I in 243 thanks to Timesitheus, but on his death he was replaced as prefect of the praetorium by Marcus Julius Philip known as ‚the Arab‘. The latter, however, was not satisfied with this title but aimed at the throne, and he convinced the army that they needed an adult prince and not a boy. Gordian showed maturity and offered to cede the throne to Philip and become his caesar, but he was killed in 244. The Senate was informed that he had died of wounds sustained in a battle against the Persians. His body was sent to Rome where he was deified.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Weight: 4.93 g.
Diameter: 21 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
GORDIAN III (238-244). Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: P M TR P II COS P P.
Jupiter standing left, holding sceptre and thunderbolt; to left, small figure of Gordian standing left.

RIC 21; Calicó 3211.

Born to a daughter of Gordian I, sister of Gordian II, because of the young age at which he came to occupy the throne (13), Gordian did not rule directly, but the Senate did so for him. Gordian had become prince because the Senate needed to placate an uprising of the traditionalist urban plebs, bound to the dynastic ideal, and in order to take advantage of his family’s wealth. Moreover, the praetorians had acclaimed him emperor just to show the Senate that they were the ones who decided who to put on the throne. Among the first moves was the dismissal of the legion in Africa because it had supported Capellianus and led to the deaths of Gordian I and II, who were deified. During his relatively long tenure there were several problems to deal with. In 240 Sabinianus, elected caesar in Carthage, prepared to make war on him, but was stopped by the governor of Mauretania. In the north the barbarians were making constant raids and sacking villages and towns. Gordian was too young to face these problems, but fortunately for him he could count on the diplomatic and military skill of Timesitheus, who had become prefect of the praetorium and granted him his daughter, Tranquillina, in marriage in 241. Rome succeeded in repelling the Persians of Shapur I in 243 thanks to Timesitheus, but on his death he was replaced as prefect of the praetorium by Marcus Julius Philip known as ‚the Arab‘. The latter, however, was not satisfied with this title but aimed at the throne, and he convinced the army that they needed an adult prince and not a boy. Gordian showed maturity and offered to cede the throne to Philip and become his caesar, but he was killed in 244. The Senate was informed that he had died of wounds sustained in a battle against the Persians. His body was sent to Rome where he was deified.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Weight: 5.28 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
★ Extremely Rare Aureus ★
PHILIP I ‚THE ARAB‘ (244–249). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: LAET FVNDATA.
Laetitia standing left, holding wreath and rudder set on globe.

RIC 35a; Calicó 3249a.

Attractive, well struck and centered. Philip I, called ‚the Arab‘ because of his origin, was the first emperor from that area. Although he came from a humble family, he embarked on a brilliant career that led him to become prefect of the praetorium in 243. At this time he was suspected of the murder of Timesiteus, the previous prefect to the praetorium, and of the emperor himself. But upon the death of Gordian III, the troops appointed him augustus. Philip then decided to go immediately to Rome to pay homage to the Senate, after paying a large sum to the Persians, reaching an agreement beneficial to Rome and ending the war. He also named his seven-year-old son a prince, thus destining him to the throne as his successor. Initially Philip had to deal with the invasion of Dacia by the Carpians, which he succeeded in defeating in 247, obtaining the title ‚Carpicus Maximus‘ and a triumph in Rome. On that occasion he appointed his son as Augustus, thus bringing the principality to the form of a diarchy, as in the days of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, or more recently Pupienus and Balbinus. In 248, Rome’s Millennial year, Philip and his son organized games and performances to celebrate the ‚Aeternitas‘ of the Urbe. Especially for these celebrations he went down in history, as well as being remembered by some as the first Christian emperor because he did not promote persecution toward Christians. This was probably due more to his tolerance and because of the comparison with his successor (Decius), who was particularly harsh toward them. The throne was soon threatened by several usurpers. First Silbannacus from the Rhine region, then Pacatian in Moesia or Pannonia, Iotapian in Syria or Cappadocia, and finally Sponsianus acclaimed emperor in the area of present-day Transylvania. All these attempts were repulsed by Philip, who made the mistake, however, of entrusting the troops of Mesia and Pannonia to Trajan Decius, who proved to be a much more capable general and brought the troops to his side. Thus, having defeated the Goths, Decius was acclaimed augustus by the soldiers but hastened to reassure the emperor that he would not usurp the throne. The emperor, fearful of seeing his dynastic designs fade, did not trust the general and it came to the decisive clash at Verona, where Philip and his son died.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Weight: 4.34 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.

Münzen des Römischen Kaiser
★ Otacilia Aureus ★
OTACILIA SEVERA (Augusta, 244-249). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: M OTACIL SEVERA AVG.
Draped bust right, wearing stephane.
Rev: CONCORDIA AVGG.
Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia.

RIC 125; Calicó 3264.

Very rare. Marcia Otacilia Severa came from a wealthy and influential family. Not much is known about her birth and education, but some sources suggest a Syrian or African origin. The family was known for its wealth in Rome and was primarily involved in the agricultural industry and strong support toward conservative Roman values. Otacilia married the future emperor Philip I and played an important role in her husband’s ascension to the throne. As empress she is remembered for economic reforms and improvements to public infrastructures, such as the construction of a public bathhouse that became very popular in Rome. She is also remembered for working to improve the rights and status of women in Roman society. Philip’s religious tolerance was also evident in Otacilia, which allowed Christians to practice their faith without persecution, marking a significant departure from the policies of the previous emperors. The cause of Otacilia’s death is unclear, but her fate followed that of her husband and son, who were defeated in 249 by Trajan Decius.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Weight: 4.77 g.
Diameter: 22 mm.

Münzen der Römischen Kaiser
JULIAN II APOSTATA (361-363). GOLD Solidus. Constantinople.

Obv: FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG.
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VIRTVS EXERCITVS ROMANORVM / CONSP.
Soldier standing right, head left, holding trophy and dragging captive to left.

RIC 158; Depeyrot 7/1.

Very rare. Julian II was born in Constantinople, son of Basilina and Julius Constantius, half-brother of Constantine I ‚the Great‘. Because of his young age he was spared in the 337 massacre of Constantine’s family members. His youthful education at the court of Constantius II was in the care of the pagan eunuch Mardonius, marked by the myth of classical culture and paganism, particularly Neoplatonism. Upon the death of Constantius Gallus, Julian took his place as Caesar in 355 and married Constantius II’s sister, Helena, after which he immediately left to fight the Germans who had invaded Colonia Agrippinensium. Here, after a series of fights, he succeeded in winning the favor of the people and the army, who acclaimed him Augustus in 360, raising the ire of Constantius II. Upon the latter’s death Julian became sole emperor and moved back to Constantinople, beginning to deprive the Christian Church of all the rights that had been granted to it by its predecessors, thus earning the appellation „Apostate.“ Although he never openly persecuted Christians, his policies undoubtedly favored pagans and Jews. Julian also distinguished himself as a man of culture, writing several works, both satirical and philosophical. His main goal was to get the Romans to return to worshiping the ancient gods, and he thought he would succeed by winning the war against the Persians of Shapur II. After a series of victories the emperor reached the gates of Ctesiphon in June 363, but at that point he hesitated and, instead of attacking the city, decided to wait until he rejoined Procopius‘ army. This move proved fatal, for after a hard fight at Maranga on the Tigris, he was wounded and killed at Samarra. Julian was buried at Tarsus, while peace was signed with Shapur II and Jovian, a moderate Christian, was elected new emperor.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Weight: 4.46 g.
Diameter: 22 mm.

Münzen der Neuzeit
★ Very Rare Ducat ★
RUSSIA. Peter II (1727-1730). GOLD Ducat (1729). Red mint.

Obv: ПЕТРЬ II ∙ИМПЕРАТОРЬ.
Laureate and armored bust right.
Rev: IСАМОДЕРЖ ВСЕРОСIИСКIИ.
Crowned double headed eagle, with coat-of-arms on breast, holding sceptre and orb.

Diakov 6; KM 186.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 3.35 g.
Diameter: 22 mm.

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