| Family and Children on Ancient Coins |  |
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| Commodus and Annius Verus, Caesars, 166 - 170 A.D., Tarsus, Cilicia |   | The brothers Annius Verus and Commodus, sons of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger, were made caesars in 166 A.D. Annius Verus died at age 7 of natural causes in Rome on 10 September 169. His younger brother Commodus became his father?s heir and later successor to his father?s throne. The portraits are obviousl y unrealistic - the caesars were small boys when the coin was struck. |
| SH60168. Bronze AE 18, RPC Online 5035; BMC Cilicia p. 191, 166; SNG BnF 1456; cf. SNG Levante 1018 (no star); SNG Cop -, VF, weight 5.400 g, maximum diameter 17.8 mm, die axis 225o, Tarsos mint, 166 - 170 A.D.; obverse KOPOI CEBACTOY, confronted draped busts Annius Verus (on left) and Commodus, star over crossed club and caduceus between them; reverse TAP-COU, MHTROP in ex, decastyle temple, KOINOC KILIKIAC in architrave, eagle in pediment; rare; $495.00 (€381.15) |
| Geta, 209 - c. 26 December 211 A.D. |  | On 4 February 211, Severus fell ill and died in York at the age of 65, after a reign of nearly 18 years. Geta shared joint rule with his brother for Caracalla for less than a year, ending when Caracalla had him murdered on 26 December 211. |
| RB54611. Copper as, RIC IV 177a, BMCRE 277, Cohen 152, SRCV II 7282 var (TR P II), Fine, weight 9.019 g, maximum diameter 25.0 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 211 A.D.; obverse P SEPTIMIVS GETA PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate head right; reverse PONTIF TR P III COS II S C, Pietas standing right, long scepter vertical in right, drawing out drapery from breast with left, two naked children stand confronted at her feet raising their hands to one another; scarce; $225.00 (€173.25) |
| Plautilla, Augusta 202 - 22 January 205 A.D., Wife of Caracalla |  | The "eternal harmony" between Caracalla and Plautilla was complete fiction. She and Caracalla hated each other, lived separately, and the marriage was likely never consummated. After the fall and execution of her father, Caracalla's Praetorian Prefect, she was exiled to the Lipari islands and executed in 212 A.D. |
| SH59964. Silver denarius, RIC IV 361, RSC III 10, VF, weight 3.266 g, maximum diameter 19.1 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 202 - 22 Jan 205 A.D.; obverse PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE, draped bust right; reverse CONCORDIA AETERNAE, Caracalla, togate, standing left, clasping hands with Plautilla who stands right; $225.00 (€173.25) |
| Plautilla, Augusta 202 - 22 January 205 A.D., Wife of Caracalla |  | Although this coin suggests Caracalla and Plautilla desired an heir, it would have been difficult because their mutual hatred was so strong they even refused to dine together. Their marriage was likely never consummated. After the fall and execution of her father, Caracalla's Praetorian Prefect, she was exiled to the Lipari islands and executed in 212 A.D. |
| SH57077. Silver denarius, SRCV II 7063, RIC IV 362, RSC III 21, VF, weight 3.473 g, maximum diameter 17.6 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 202 A.D.; obverse PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE, draped bust right, hair coiled in horizontal ridges and fastened in bun at the back; reverse PROPAGO IMPERI, Caracalla (on right) and Plautilla standing confronted, clasping right hands; scarce, marriage issue; $200.00 (€154.00) |
| Julia Domna, Augusta 194 - 8 April 217 A.D. |  | The epithet Genetrix identified Venus as the goddess of motherhood and domesticity.
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| RS63899. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 388a; RSC III 211; BMCRE p. 434, 22; SRCV II 7098, Choice VF, weight 5.242 g, maximum diameter 22.9 mm, die axis 45o, Rome mint, 216 A.D.; obverse IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, diademed draped bust right on crescent; reverse VENVS GENETRIX, Venus seated left, extending right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left; scarce; $180.00 (€138.60) |
| Julia Mamaea, Augusta 13 March 222 - February or March 235 A.D. |  | Felicitas was the goddess or personification of good luck and success. She played an important role in Rome's state religion during the empire, and was frequently portrayed on coins. She became a prominent symbol of the wealth and prosperity of the Roman Empire. |
| SH57740. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC IV 688, BMCRE VI 920, Cohen 8, SRCV II 8226, VF, weight 18.031 g, maximum diameter 30.1 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, c. 232 A.D.; obverse IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA, diademed and draped bust right; reverse FECVNDITAS AVGVSTAE S C, Fecunditas standing left, extending right hand to child standing before her with arms raised, cornucopia in left; $170.00 (€130.90) |
| Julia Maesa, Augusta 8 June 218 - 224 or 225 A.D. |  | Fecunditas is often identified as the personification of fertility rather than as an actual deity, however, Fecunditas was recognized as a divinity by Nero, who erected a statue to her. Tacitus notes that upon the birth of Claudia Neronis, the senate decreed the construction of a temple of Fertility to be built at Antium. Fecunditas is always portrayed as a female figure holding a child, or children and often a scepter, cornucopia, palm branch or caduceus. Sometimes the children are depicted standing at her feet. Coins portraying her ususally advertise the fertility of the imperial family.
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| RS63896. Silver denarius, BMCRE p. 539, 64; RSC III 8; RIC IV 249; SRCV II 7749, Choice aEF, weight 3.079 g, maximum diameter 19.7 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 218 - 220 A.D.; obverse IVLIA MAESA AVG, draped bust right; reverse FECVNDITAS AVG, Fecunditas standing left, extending right hand to a child standing before her with arms reaching up to her, cornucopia in left; $170.00 (€130.90) |
| Lucilla, Augusta c. 164 - 182 A.D., Wife of Lucius Verus |  | Roman women about to give birth, particularly those in labor, would address their prayers to Juno Lucina, who presided over childbirth. On this coin she holds a child in her left hand, and a flower, the symbol of hope, in her right. |
| SH63674. Silver denarius, RIC III 770, RSC II 36, VF, weight 3.291 g, maximum diameter 18.0 mm, die axis 225o, Rome mint, 164 - 167 A.D.; obverse LVCILLA AVGVSTA, draped bust right; reverse IVNONI LVCINAE (to Juno of Childbirth), Juno seated left, flower in right, swaddled infant in left; $160.00 (€123.20) |
| Greek, Terracotta Baby's Head, 4th Century B.C. |  | From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. |
| AT34470. 2 cm (3/4") high, red-beige terracotta, short hair, charming head, Choice, unmounted; $125.00 (€96.25) |
| Greek, Terracotta Child's Head, 4th Century B.C. |  | From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. |
| AT34468. 4 cm (1 1/2") high, grey terracotta, hair back, fragment with left side missing, charming style, Superb face, unmounted; $105.00 (€80.85) |
| Greek, Terracotta Child's Head, 4th Century B.C. |  | From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. |
| AT34465. 2.8 cm (1") high, brown-beige terracotta, fine details, Choice, unmounted; $90.00 (€69.30) |
| Greek, Terracotta Child's Bust, 2nd Century B.C. |  | From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. |
| AT34521. 2.8 cm (1") high, red-brown terracotta; hair bound up, cute, Choice, unmounted; $85.00 (€65.45) |
| Aurelian, August or September 270 - October or November 275 A.D. |  | In 271, Aurelian began construction of a new defensive wall to protect Rome. The Aurelian Walls, 19 kilometers (12 miles) long, enclosed the city with fortifications. |
| RB57058. Bronze as, RIC V 80, F, weight 6.235 g, maximum diameter 24.3 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 270 - 276 A.D; obverse IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right; reverse CONCORDIA AVG, emperor and empress clasping hands, above center bust of Sol right, D in ex; a rare late example of the denomination; rare; $75.00 (€57.75) |
| Julia Mamaea, Augusta 13 March 222 - February or March 235 A.D. |  | Fecunditas (Latin: "fecundity, fertility") was the goddess of fertility. She was portrayed as a matron, sometimes holding a cornucopia or a hasta pura, with children in her arms or standing next to her. |
| RS58091. Silver denarius, RSC III 6, RIC IV 322, VF, uncleaned, weight 2.589 g, maximum diameter 19.2 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, obverse IVLIA MAMAEA AVG, diademed and draped bust right; reverse FECVND AVGVSTAE, Fecunditas enthroned left, reaching out to child before her; $70.00 (€53.90) |
| Otacilia Severa, Augusta February or March 244 - September or October 249 A.D. |  | In Roman religion, Concordia was the goddess of agreement, understanding, and marital harmony. The cult of Concordia Augusta ("Majestic Harmony") was of special importance to the imperial household. She is usually depicted wearing a long cloak and holding a patera (sacrificial bowl), a cornucopia (symbol of prosperity), or a caduceus (symbol of peace). |
| RS41852. Silver antoninianus, SRCV III 9149, RIC IV 126, RSC IV 17, VF, weight 3.645 g, maximum diameter 23.9 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 247 A.D.; obverse M OTACIL SEVERA AVG, diademed and draped bust right set on crescent; reverse CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left, patera in right, cornucopia in left, altar at feet; full circles centering, lovely portrait, frosty surfaces; $65.00 (€50.05) |
| Otacilia Severa, Augusta February or March 244 - September or October 249 A.D. |  | In Roman religion, Concordia was the goddess of agreement, understanding, and marital harmony. The cult of Concordia Augusta ("Majestic Harmony") was of special importance to the imperial household. She is usually depicted wearing a long cloak and holding a patera (sacrificial bowl), a cornucopia (symbol of prosperity), or a caduceus (symbol of peace). |
| RS50371. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 125c, RSC IV 4, VF, minor flan cracks, weight 3.639 g, maximum diameter 22.9 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 247 A.D.; obverse M OTACIL SEVERA AVG, diademed and draped bust right, crescent behind shoulders; reverse CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left, offering from patera in right, double cornucopia in left; $60.00 (€46.20) |
| Salonina, Augusta 254 - c. September 268 A.D. |  | Although many coin reference books classify Fecunditas as a personification of fertility rather than as an actual deity, Fecunditas was recognized as a Roman divinity by Nero, who erected a statue to her. Tacitus notes that upon the birth of Claudia Neronis, the senate decreed the construction of a temple of Fertility to be built at Antium. Fecunditas is always portrayed as a female figure holding a child, or children and often a scepter, cornucopia, palm branch or caduceus. Sometimes the children are depicted standing at her feet. Coins portraying her ususally advertise the fertility of the imperial family. |
| RS38594. Silver antoninianus, RIC V 26, Cohen 44, VF, weight 3.027 g, maximum diameter 21.6 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 256 - 257 A.D.; obverse SALONINA AVG, diademed and draped bust right, crescent behind; reverse FECVNDITAS AVG, Fecunditas standing facing, head right, reaching down to child at her feet with right, a second child in left; $45.00 (€34.65) |
| Julia Mamaea, Augusta 13 March 222 - February or March 235 A.D. |  | |
| RS50678. Silver denarius, RIC IV 341, RSC 32, gF, frosted surfaces, weight 2.244 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, obverse IVLIA MAMAEA AVG, draped bust right; reverse IVNO AVGVSTAE, Juno seated left, flower in right, swaddled infant in left; $45.00 (€34.65) |
| Salonina, Augusta 254 - c. September 268 A.D. |  | Although many coin reference books classify Fecunditas as a personification of fertility rather than as an actual deity, Fecunditas was recognized as a Roman divinity by Nero, who erected a statue to her. Tacitus notes that upon the birth of Claudia Neronis, the senate decreed the construction of a temple of Fertility to be built at Antium. Fecunditas is always portrayed as a female figure holding a child, or children and often a scepter, cornucopia, palm branch or caduceus. Sometimes the children are depicted standing at her feet. Coins portraying her ususally advertise the fertility of the imperial family. |
| RB25318. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 5a, VF, weight 4.212 g, maximum diameter 21.8 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 260 - 268 A.D.; obverse SALONINA AVG, diademed and draped bust right resting on a crescent; reverse FECVNDITAS AVG, Fecunditas standing left, reaching down to child at her feet with right, cornucopia in left, D right; some silvering; $21.00 (€16.17) |
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