A rare posthumous denarius of Marciana, the elder sister of Emperor Trajan, struck at the Rome Mint following her death and official consecration.
Ulpia Marciana was among the most influential women of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. She was particularly esteemed by Trajan, who granted her the title of Augusta around A.D. 105. Following her death, she was officially deified, as indicated by the title DIVA in the obverse legend.
The reverse refers directly to her deification. The eagle, the sacred bird of Jupiter, symbolized the ascent of the deceased’s soul to the realm of the gods. The legend CONSECRATIO was used on Roman posthumous coins commemorating members of the imperial family who had been officially deified.
A rare consecration denarius and an interesting testament to the imperial dynastic cult and the exceptional position enjoyed by women of the imperial family during Trajan’s reign.
The flan is chipped.
Roman Imperial
Marciana (98–114, sister of Trajan), Denarius after 114
Obverse: diademed and draped bust of Marciana facing right
DIVA AVGVSTA MARCIANA
Reverse: an eagle with outspread wings and its head turned to the right, walking to the left on a scepter
CONSECRATIO
Diameter 19 mm, weight 2.57 g
