Orbiana




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ORBIANA (Gneia, Seia, Herennia, Sallustia, Barbia.) This princess is not mentioned even prenomina are only on Greek coins. Antiquarics had long been of the opinion that SALLVSTIA BARBIA ORBANIA was the Empress of Trajanus Decius.  But medals of Alexander Severus having been found which bear the portrait on their reverse, the lot of this lady has been fixed and a true place in the Imperial series assigned to her. - Orbiana is represented on medals (especially on large brass where her features are more developed) as possessing an agreeable physiognomy. - The author of Lecons de Numismatique Romaine describes a coin of this princess in the collection, which on its reverse, with the legend CONCORDIA AVGVSTORVM, typifies the Emperor and the Empress standing hand in hand.  And this intelligent numismatist remarks, that "small as are the two figures they are so clearly engraved (when the medal is in perfect preservation) that in lineaments of the emperor the likeness may plainly be traced of the true husband, and not the totally different countenance of Trajan Decius" (p.200.) - It appears by a coin struck at Alexandria, that she was married to Alexander, A.D. 226.  Her gold medals and brass medallions are of the highest degree of rarity.  On these she is styled SAL. (or SALL.) BARB. (or BARBIA) ORBIANA. AVG.  Some pieces represent her with Julia Mamaea as well as with Severus Alexander.

Coin illustrated was from *Alex's collection.



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