I was surprised to get a nice denarius of Orbiana in the mail the other day. I had placed a low speculative bid in an auction in early February, won the coin, paid for it and then forgot all about it. Now the coin arrived (not sure what caused the delay) and I am very happy with it (and the price). The coin is a denarius of Sallustia Barbia Orbiana, the wife of Severus Alexander. Orbiana was married to Severus Alexander in AD 225, when she was only 16 years old. The portrait on the coin certainly is that of a very young woman. The cataloger had dated the coin to c. 225, but I thought the title of Augusta was bestowed on her only in 227. Obv.: SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG Rev.: CONCORDIA - AVGG Mint: Rome Date: c. 227 Weight: 2.69g RIC Severus Alexander 319; RSC 1; RCV 8191 I like the portrait and I like the condition. The coin has some lustre and it has very nice smooth surfaces. The coin is from the "Michael Atkin Collection". Not sure who this is. Post your Orbiana coin or anything else that is relevant.
Me, too! That's a real beauty. Here's mine, not as nice, bought in 1984, from Malter auction XXVIII, lot 118, at $250. At the time I did not think I overpaid. That's just what they cost, then. However, if you factored in inflation (see my post, "Prices now, prices then" with a factor of 2.76, for a current equivalent of 2.76X$250 = $690) https://www.cointalk.com/threads/prices-now-prices-then.395411/ @Tejas got a better coin and a much better deal. Congratulations! Prices may seem high compared to a few years ago, but they are not all high compared to a few decades ago.
Quality addition. My Orbiana is still one of my favorite coins I own. 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
Denarius of Orbiana 225-227 AD Obv Bust right diademed and draped. Rv. Concordia seated left. RIC 319 2.57 grms 19 mm Photo by W. Hansen When I started to collect Roman coins back in the dark ages before the internet, I noticed that every denarius I had ever seen of Orbania had surface issue most notably porosity. I had no real idea why this was the case though I have seen other types minted during the early part of the third century AD that have consistently bad surfaces. (Dynastic denarii of Septimius Severus; I am looking at you.) So it was with some relief that a group of her coins without surface issues began to appear on the market circa 2010. I bought this coin in 2011.
I got mine for GBP 260 (+fees), which I thought was an unexpectedly good price. (Dix Noonan Webb, Feb. 1-2 auction, 2022, lot 712)
That was my impression too and this is why I was so pleasantly surprised with my auction win - no porosity, no "dryness".
Mine can't compete with any of the examples listed here and I was not convinced I should bid or not but for 75 EUR + fees I think this is not a disaster. Would have preferred another coin in that auction - a very handsome Septimius Severus denarius, but lost it.
