I have captured another Roman beauty, Orbiana, for my portrait series ... Top end coins of hers do not come cheap, so I settled for this quite reasonable denarius: Orbiana. Augusta, AD 225-227. AR Denarius 18 mm. 3.0 gm. Rome mint. Marriage issue, AD 225. Obv: Draped bust right, wearing stephane Rev: Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia. RIC IV 319 (Alexander); RSC 1. As you know, she was the beautiful wife of Severus Alexander - a beauty which made his mother Julia Mamaea so jealous, that Orbiana was exiled to Libya. So let's see some Orbianas... or anything else that's relevant or interesting.
Another great pick up Greg, it seems all her coins are rather scarce especially with good portrait as your coin.
Lovely denarius, @Greg Heinrich . Better than my example. Let's add some other denominations and reverse designs to the thread, shall we? Dupondius, 11.43 gm, 24.5 mm. Rome mint, AD 225. Obv: SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, diademed and draped bust, r. Rev: CONCORDIA AVGVSTORVM SC, Concordia enthroned l., holding patera and double cornucopiae. Refs: RIC 656; RCV 8195; BMCRE 297; Cohen 5. Sestertius, 20.02 gm, 28.5 mm. Rome mint, AD 225. Obv: SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, diademed and draped bust, r. Rev: CONCORDIA AVGVSTORVM SC, Alexander r. and Orbiana l., standing, facing each other, clasping r. hands. Refs: RIC 657; RCV 8194; BMCRE 229; Cohen 6. And for fun, how about an ancient fouree forgery, which has a FECVND AVGVSTAE reverse type used by her mother-in-law, Julia Mamaea, not an official issue of Orbiana?
Wow, @Greg Heinrich , very nice coin. Very defined. Here is mine to toss in: RI Orbiana w Severus Alexander Augusta 225-227 CE Æ AS 23 mm 8.75g Rome Concordia patera double cornucopiae RIC 656
A beautiful coin. Orbiana (225 - 227 A.D.) AR Denarius O: SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, draped bust right. R: CONCORDIA AVGG,Concordia seated left holding double cornucopia and patera. Rome 19mm 3.8g RIC IV 319, RSC III 1, BMCRE VI 287, SRCV II 8191
Goodness, Greg, That's a nice example of a design with a familiar ring. Not much variety in her silver, unless you look at details like legend breaks or design details. For example Mat showed us the same denarius but with a CONCORDI - A - AVGG reverse legend and a more stylized double cornucopia. Here's mine: With a more rounded nose on obverse like Mat's, and a less ornate throne on reverse. My reverse legend break is the same as on Mat's coin, but my coin has a double cornucopia that is something between what you and Mat are showing. ALL very minor details.
My only Orbiana is a limes. Orbiana. Æ “limes” denarius, imitating Rome mint, c. 225–6 CE; 19mm, 3.02g, 6h. cf. BMCRE 287–90, cf. RIC 319, cf. RSC 1. Obv: SAL BARBIA – ORBIANA AVG; diademed and draped bust right. Rx: CONCORDIA – AVGG; Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera and double cornucopia. Encrustations and corrosion; otherwise VF.
Lovely portrait style, I'd be very happy with that one! At some point I will have to face the fact that forking out the bucks will be necessary to get a nice one like that. So far I just have this smoothed (and tooled?) AE as. Surprising number of middle bronzes in this thread!
She's a cutie and the coin is a beauty! Mine on the other hand appears to have been in a fist fight (probably worth Mamaea, who always wins!).
@Ryro LOL, finally paid attention to your Avatar comment: And, yes the Pompei fresco has always been a fave!
Glad one of us caught on. I should've looked at the date of yours. That would've triggered a ah ha! Boy O, would I love to see that fresco in person. The look on Darius face is priceless
Orbiana's tough and nice to get, well done Greg Orbiana, Denarius Rome mint, AD 225 SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, diademed and draped bust right CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left on throne, holding double cornucopia and patera 3.08 gr Ref : RSC # 1, Cohen # 1, RCV # 8191, RIC # 319 Q
Here is my Orbiana Sestertius (I sent it away for auction yesterday because I want to get an unpatinated one )
