Orbiana e la Concordia degli Augusti
19/11/2005
Gentile Sig. De Florio,
Le richiedo la consulenza numismatica sulla moneta (un denario) di Orbiana di cui fornisco foto in allegato. Le caratteristiche sono le seguenti:
Dritto: SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AUG effige effige di Orbiana a destra
Rovescio: CONCORDIA AUGG la Concordia seduta tiene una doppia cornucopia
Peso: 2.3 grammi
Diametro: 18 mm
Colore: argenteo
Metallo presunto: argento
Asse di  conio: ore 7 circa
Tipologia metallica: non ferromagnetico
In attesa di una sua risposta, la ringrazio anticipatamente.
Cordiali Saluti
fig. 1
Roma, 22.11.2005
Egregio Lettore,
trascrivo di seguito i dati pertinenti alla sua moneta:

Denario1, zecca di Roma, 225-6 d.C., RIC IV/II 319, BMC VI 287, C IV 1, indice di rarità "S"

D. SALL BARBIA - ORBIANA AVG2. Orbiana, busto a destra, diademato, drappeggiato, capelli ondulati raccolti in bande e in un piccolo chignon dietro la testa.
R. CONCORDI - A - AVGG3. La Concordia seduta a sinistra su un trono sorregge con la mano destra estesa una patera e con la sinistra una doppia cornucopia, lembo di drappeggio sul braccio sinistro.

Di seguito riporto i link a monete "simili" a quella di figura reperiti nel web:

  1. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.jpg Coin sold at 12/09/2004 Final sale value in local currencies GBP 284.97 USD 512.00 JPY 56155.68 AUD 735.21 RUB 14960.64 CAD 661.15 EUR 417.38 *AAH* Orbiana Den "Concordia" SCARCE SUPERB!!!!!!!! Orbiana AD 222-235 (Wife of Severus Alexander) Silver Denarius "We work together for the success of Rome." Obv: SAL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG - Diademed bust right, draped. Rev: CONCORDIA AVGG - Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia. Rome mint: AD 225 = RIC IVii, 319 (s) Scarce, page 96 - Cohen 1 - SEAR RCV II (2002), #8191, page 675 (VF $180 - XF $450)3.16g.
  2. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.1.jpg Lot: 51 Roman. Ancient. Orbiana. Denarius. (S2299) Silver. Grade:AXF/VF ND, Diad. and dr. bust r./Rev. Concord seated l., holding patera and double cornucopiae, a very scarce one with a small flan crack due to striking, Est. 500 [L364457] Next Bid: $260.00
  3. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.2.jpg Roman Empire. Orbiana. The wife of Severus Alexander. 225 - 226 AD. Silver Denarius. Rome Mint. 18mm. (2.46g). Obverse: SALL. BARBIA ORBIANA AVG., her diademed and draped bust rt. Reverse: CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated lt., holding a patera and a cornucopiae. Nice EF with a very pretty portrait of this wife of Severus Alexander who was banished on the whims of Julia Mamaea, who's control of her son she felt was threatened. $365.00 Ends 11/02/99.
  4. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.3.jpg Orbiana wife of S.Alexander Den"Concordia" 2.2 gm. Silver denarius of Orbiana. Obv. SALL. BARBIA ORBIANA AVG. Diademed and draped bust of Orbiana right. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGG. Concord seated left, holding patera and two cornucopiae. VF. Currently $265.00 Jul-30-00.
  5. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.4.jpg Orbiana (wife of Severus Alexander). AR Denarius. SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG. Diademed and draped bust right. Reverse: CONCORDIA AVGG. Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia. $83.00 Mar-25-01.
  6. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.5-o.jpg

    7. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.5-r.jpg
    ORC0253 Orbiana, denarius, EF  Orbiana, wife of Severus Alexander, AR denarius, (2.72g) SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG Diademed and draped bust right. / CONCORD[I A] AVGG Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia. RIC 319; RSC 1. EF, mild stains. Currently $164.50 May-31-01.
  7. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.6.jpg Lot Number: 61363 Estimate: $300.00 Final Sale Price: $225.50 Denomination: Denarius Grade: Good VF Reference: RIC IV 319 (Severus Alexander); RSC 1 Orbiana, wife of Severus Alexander. AR Denarius (2.97 gm). SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, diademed and draped bust right / CONCORDI-A AVGG, Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera and double cornucopiae. RIC IV 319 (Severus Alexander); BMCRE 287 (Severus Alexander); RSC 1. Good VF, mild porosity. Scarce. Estimate $300.
  8. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.7-o.jpg

    9. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.7-r.jpg
    ORC8645 Orbiana, wife of Sev. Alex. aEF Orbiana, AR denarius, (2.33g) SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG Diademed and draped bust right. / CONCORDI A AVGG Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia. RIC 319; RSC 1. Near EF Currently $341.00 Feb-06-01.
  9. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.8-o.jpg

    10. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.8-r.jpg
    ORC9537C Orbiana, Concord, EF Orbiana, AR denarius, (3.02g) SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG Diademed and draped bust right. / CONCORDI A AVGG Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia. RIC 319; RSC 1. EF. Currently $331.00 Apr-09-01.
  10. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.9-o.jpg

    11. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.9-r.jpg
    ORC99225 Orbiana, denarius, Good VF Orbiana, AR denarius, (3.47g) SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG Diademed and draped bust right. / CONCORDI A AVGG Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia. RIC 319; RSC 1. Good VF, grainy. Currently $194.83 May-07-01.
  11. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.10.jpg Orbiana, wife of Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. AR Denarius (2.70 gm). Diademed bust right, with slight drapery / Concordia enthroned left, with patera and cornucopiae. RIC IV 319 (Severus Alexander); BMCRE 287; RSC 1. VF, toned, slight roughness. 726765 Currently $171.00 Jun-06-01.
  12. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.11.jpg Lot Number: 62902 Estimate: $300.00 Final Sale Price: $346.50 Orbiana, wife of Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. AR Denarius (2.92 gm). SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, diademed and draped bust right / CONCORDI-A AVGG, Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera and double cornucopiae. RIC IV 319 (Severus Alexander); BMCRE 287 (Severus Alexander); RSC 1. Good VF, minor porosity. Scarce.
  13. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.12.jpg 1264. ORBIANA, wife of Severus Alexander. AR Denarius (3.20 gm). Diademed and draped bust right / Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera in right hand and double cornucopiae in left. RIC IV 319 (Severus); BMCRE 287 (Severus); RSC 1. EF, some very light scratches on the obverse. ($400) CNG Mail bid sale #58, 18 Sept 2001, lot 1264. Lot sold for $400.
  14. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.13.jpg 1265. ORBIANA, wife of Severus Alexander. AR Denarius (3.38 gm). Diademed and draped bust right / Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera in right hand and double cornucopiae in left. RIC IV 319 (Severus); BMCRE 287 (Severus); RSC 1. Lightly toned EF. ($400) CNG Mail bid sale #58, 18 Sept 2001, lot 1265. Lot sold for $250.
  15. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.14.jpg 1266. ORBIANA, wife of Severus Alexander. AR Denarius (3.29 gm). Diademed and draped bust right / Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera in right hand and double cornucopiae in left. RIC IV 319 (Severus); BMCRE 287 (Severus); RSC 1. Good VF. ($300) CNG Mail bid sale #58, 18 Sept 2001, lot 1266. Lot sold for $335.
  16. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.15.jpg Roman Empire. Orbiana. Wife of Severus Alexander. AR Denarius. 2.578 grams. Obv. SALL. BARBIA ORBIANA AVG. Bust r., diademed and draped. Rv. CONCORDIA AVGG. Concordia seated l., holding patera and double cornucopiae. RIC 96, 319. Cohen 1. Very Fine/Good Very Fine and SCARCE. $163.50 Jul-25-00.
  17. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.16.jpg 1263. ORBIANA, wife of Severus Alexander. AR Denarius (2.73 gm). Diademed and draped bust right / Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera in right hand and double cornucopiae in left. RIC IV 319 (Severus); BMCRE 287 (Severus); RSC 1. Toned good VF, some very light scratches on the obverse, minor porosity. ($300) Comes with a David Sear Certificate of Authenticity. CNG Mail bid sale #58, 18 Sept 2001, lot 1263. Lot sold for $220.
  18. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.17.jpg Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 2005. Closing Date: Sep 25, 2002. ORBIANA, wife of Severus Alexander. BID Estimate $300 ORBIANA, wife of Severus Alexander. AR Denarius (3.33 gm). Dademed and draped bust right / Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera in right hand and double cornucopiae in left. RIC IV 319 (Severus Alexander); BMCRE 287 (Severus Alexander); RSC 1. Good VF. ($300).
  19. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.18.jpg Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 2006. Closing Date: Sep 25, 2002. ORBIANA, wife of Severus Alexander. BID Estimate $250 ORBIANA, wife of Severus Alexander. AR Denarius (2.60 gm). Draped bust right / Concordia seated left. RIC IV 319 (Sev. Alexander); RSC 1. VF. ($250).
  20. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.19.jpg Description 69, Lot: 144. ORBIANA, wife of Severus Alexander. AR Denarius (19mm, 2.93 gm). Estimate $200. Sold For $154 ORBIANA, wife of Severus Alexander. AR Denarius (19mm, 2.93 gm). Diademed and draped bust right / Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera and double cornucopiae. RIC IV 319 (Severus Alexander); RSC 1. Toned, near VF, scratch on obverse.
  21. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.20.jpg ORBIANA, wife of Severus Alexander. AR Denarius (4.06 gm). SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, diademed and draped bust right / CONCORDI-A AVGG, Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera in right hand and double cornucopiae in left. RIC IV 319 (Severus Alexander); BMCRE 287 (Severus Alexander); RSC 1. EF, high relief portrait. ($750) From the Jürgen K. Schmidt Collection. Ex Leu Numismatik Auktion 77 (11-12 May 2000), lot 614.
  22. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/orbiana/RIC_0319.21.jpg *AAH* Orbiana Den "Concordia" SCARCE Orbiana AD 222-235 (Wife of Severus Alexander) Silver Denarius "We work together for the success of Rome." Obv: SAL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG - Diademed bust right, draped. Rev: CONCORDIA AVGG - Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia. Rome mint: AD 225 = RIC IVii, 319 (s) Scarce, page 96 - Cohen 1 - SEAR RCV II (2002), #8191, page 675 (VF $180 - XF $450)/ 2.60 g.
  23. http://www.cgb.fr/monnaies/vso/v13/gb/monnaiesgb6f7b.html ORBIANE (225) Sallustia Barbia Orbiana Femme d'Alexandre Sévère Denier - 225 N° v13_0540 Mint name : Rome Issue : 5e Diameter in mm : 18 mm Die axis : 12 h. Metal : Argent Actual weight : 3,62 g. Legal weight : 3,38 g. Pieces to the mark : 1/96 L., 3 scrupules Fineness per thousand : 500°/oo Current for : 4 sesterces OBVERSE Legend : SALL BARBIA - ORBIANA AVG. Translation : "Sallustia Barbia Orbiana Augusta", (Sallustia Barbia Orbiane Augusta). Description : Buste drapé et diadémé d’Orbiane à droite, vu de trois quarts en avant (L4). REVERSE Legend : CONCORDIA - AVGG. Translation : "Concordia Augustorum", (La Concorde de l'empereur et de l'impératrice). Description : Concordia (la Concorde) assise à gauche, tenant une patère de la main droite et une double corne d'abondance de la gauche. Reference number in specialised litterature : C.1 (20f.) - RIC.319 - BMC/RE.287 - RSC.1 - RC.2299 (400£) Bibliography : ROME IV, n°218. Description of the condition of the coin : Exemplaire de qualité exceptionnelle pour ce type de monnayage. Portait magnifique avec une extraordinaire patine de médaillier. Rarity level : RR Condition : FDC Starting price 4 500 FRF Estimate 7 500 FRF About this coin : Poids lourd. About this type : Les monnaies d'Orbiane sont rarissimes et n'ont été émises que lors d'une émission spéciale commémorant le mariage en 225 pour la sixième officine seulement. History : Nous avons peu d'informations sur l'impératrice Orbiane. Elle épousa Alexandre Sévère en 225 mais, ayant déplu à la mère de l'Auguste, elle aurait été finalement bannie en Afrique. Il est intéressant de remarquer le doublement du G de CONCORDIA sur certaines légendes de revers qui semblerait indiquer qu'Orbiane avait reçu des pouvoirs importants et pourrait justifier la jalousie de Julia Mamée. 
Concludo osservando che le caratteristiche di stile della moneta di figura non appaiono convincenti se confrontate con quelle dei link sopra riportati; mi riferisco in particolare ai caratteri delle leggende e al tipo della Concordia sul rovescio che si presenta appena abbozzato. Aggiungerò che la moneta di figura, come pure l'altra dello stesso lettore, da me studiata in una precedente occasione (cliccare qui) mostrano una strana somiglianza di stile, come se fossero state realizzate dalla stessa mano. 

Un saluto cordiale.
Giulio De Florio
 

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Note:

(1) Traggo dai link sopra citati e dal BMC le caratteristiche fisiche di alcuni denari della tipologia di figura battuti dalla zecca di Roma che raccolgo di seguito in tabella:
 

Riferimenti Peso (g.)  Asse di conio (ore) Diametro (mm)
link 1 3.16 - -
link 3 2.46 - 18
link 4 2.20 - -
link 6 2.72 - -
link 7 2.97 - -
link 8 2.33 - -
link 9 3.02 - -
link10 3.47  - -
link11 2.70 - -
link12 2.92 - -
link13 3.20 - -
link14 3.38 - -
link15 3.29 - -
link16 2.58 - -
link17 2.73 - -
link18 3.33 - -
link19 2.60 - -
link20 2.93 - 19
link21 4.06 - -
link22 2.60 - -
link23 3.62 0 18
BMC 287 2.47 0 20
BMC 288 3.08 0 20
BMC 289 2.83 6 19
Dalla tabella si evince che il denario di figura (2.3g, 18mm, 7) si presenta un po' leggero rispetto ai denari di tabella; lo scostamento tuttavia non è tale, di per sé, da sollevare dubbi di autenticità.
(2) SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG. Gneia, Seia, Herennia, Sallustia, Barbia, Orbiana, Augusta. Riferisce lo Stevenson che le fonti storiche non menzionano questa sovrana il cui nome ci perviene esclusivamente dalle fonti numismatiche. I primi tre praenomen dianzi citati sono presenti solo in alcune monete provinciali (in lingua greca). Da una moneta battuta dalla zecca di Alessandria si deduce che Orbiana fu sposa di Alessandro Severo. Sostiene il BMC che il matrimonio durasse solo due anni, dal 225 al 227 d.C., a causa della gelosia di Giulia Mamea, madre dell'imperatore, che temeva di perdere l'influenza che era solita esercitare sul figlio.
(3) CONCORDIA AVGG. La Concordia degli Augusti con riferimento ad Alessandro Severo ed Orbiana lascia intravedere un ruolo importante di Orbiana all'interno dello stato che potrebbe forse spiegare la gelosia di Giulia Mamea. 
Indice Dietro Avanti