After selling my first Orbiana, I suffered from the vacancy in my Sestertius collection. So here is the replacement: SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG - Diademed and draped bust of Orbiana right CONCORDIA AVGVSTORVM S C - Concordia enthroned left, holding patera in right and double cornucopiae in left arm Sestertius, Rome 225 a.d. 31 mm / 20 gr RIC 657, BMCRE 299, Cohen 6, Banti 1 (82 specimens) It must have seemed like a fairytale come true for sixteen year old Orbiana when she was the one to marry the most wanted bachelor in the world, the young emperor Severus Alexander, on August 28, 225. Alas, just a couple of years later she was banished to Libya by her evil mother in law, Julia Mamaea, who was jealous of her youth, beauty, and influence over her son. The control forced upon Alexander by his mother proved to be the undoing for both of them ten years later. This was my first Orbiana. I think it did not do justice to the fact that Orbiana was known as one of the most handsome women on the imperial throne (also I didn´t like the dark patina...): Here is a Sestertius of her husband Severus Alexander: And here is the evil stepmother: Let´s see your Orbianas
Nice one! I don't have a sestertius with that reverse type. I have two bronzes of this empress: 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. 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. 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?
Nice, I just have silver. 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
Excellent Sestertius, @Julius Germanicus ! Great coins, BTW. No sestertius, but I just have one Denarius:
Good catch Here are the young couple and the dragon Severus Alexander, Denarius - Rome mint, AD 225 IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, Laureate and draped bust right P M TRP IIII COS P P Mars advancing right, carrying spear and trophy 3.19 gr Ref : RCV # 7898 (75), C # 260 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 Julia Mamaea, denarius - Rome mint AD 228 IVLIA MAMAEA AVG, Draped and diademed bust of Mamaea right FELICITAS PUBLICA, Felicity standing left, holding a caduceus and leaning on a column 3.39 gr Ref : Cohen #17, RCV #8209 Q
I don't have an Orbiana yet, so here is Severus Alexander, A.D. 222-235, an emperor who unfortunately was killed in the uprising of Maximinus Thrax. Type: AE Sestertius, 29mm, 17.6 grams Obverse: IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG Laureate head of Alexander right Reverse: VICTORIA AVGVSTI Victory Standing left, holding wreath and palm Reference: RIC 618, Sear 8022, Cohen 569 The Victory may be celebrating the defeat of the Germans at the battle of Harzhorn, but historians are unsure about the exact date of the battle, which occurred either during the latter period of the reign of Alexander or the early part of the reign of Maximinus.
Congrats @Julius Germanicus ! What a great looking Sestertius ! I have her As... RI Orbiana w Severus Alexander Augusta 225-227 CE Æ AS 23 mm 8.75g Rome Concordia patera double cornucopiae RIC 656 But EVERY TIME I read her name, I ALWAYS think of one of my favorite singers: Roy ORBIson...
Fun thread! Here's my fouree Orbi. Orbiana Silver Plated Denarius (3.11 g), Augusta, AD 225-227. Rome, under Severus Alexander, AD 225. SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, diademed and draped bust of Orbiana right. Reverse: CONCORDI-A AVGG, Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopiae. RIC 319; BMC 287-90; RSC 1
