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Pillar of the Community
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949 Posts |
Although Vibia Sabina was the wife of Hadrian, Suetonius reports that she was not on good terms with her husband. Then again, it was reported that she had had an affair with Suetonius, which cost him his position as imperial secretary to Hadrian, so perhaps the claim of discord was more harshly drawn so as to mitigate the affair. In any case, she bore the emperor no children, and died about 136/137 A.D. The coinage for Sabina does not begin until Hadrian has assumed the title Parens Patriae about 128 A.D. Apparently all of her imperial silver coins were minted only in Rome. According to Mattingly in BMCRE her silver issues in life take two obverse legends. The first bears the PP title for Hadrian as well as his name (second coin below). The second legend is the first one presented here. To these are added a third for her posthumous silver issues: DIVI AVG SABINA Two hair styles were used on her silver and bronze, the most common (on silver) being a plaited queue down the back of her neck. Alternatively it is fashioned as a high and elaborate headdress with a metal stephane (especially on bronze). She also appears veiled on some of her postumous issues. These three are in my collection: SABINA - AVGVSTA // CONCOR - DIA AVGConcordia seated left on throne, cornucopiae beneath, holding patera in right hand; scepter in left  SABINA AVGVSTA - HADRIANI AVG [PP] // PVDICITIAPudicitia stands facing left  SABINA AVGVSTA - HADRIANI AVG PP // CONCORDIA - [AVG]Concordia seated left on throne (cornucopiae beneath?) holding patera in right hand, leaning on a figure of Spes.  Edited by lrbguy
02/25/2017 12:26 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
Very nice coins and historical background.
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
Lovely coins lrbguy  Don't know what it is? But her bust style is one of my favourites amongst the roman ladies. Quote:
Suetonius reports that she was not on good terms with her husband ...and... Quote:
she bore the emperor no children . Probably something to do with Hadrian spending a lot of time..."fishing"...with Antinous.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2703 Posts |
Wonderful denarii. I have been looking to add Sabina coins to my collection for some time now.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
These are really very nice coins, thanks for posting them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
949 Posts |
Thank you for the kind comments everyone, and a BIG thank you to BobL for the link to the Celator issue with the article by Jasper Burns. A very good read, that, and well balanced on several topics touching on Hadrian's relationship with his wife.
I hope those of you who collect Imperial bronze will post something for Sabina. There is quite a bit out there. Unfortunately I do not collect Imperial bronze prior to the Tetrarchy, and in this case happen to have no examples for Sabina among my Roman Provincials.
I am tempted to post "borrowed" pics from her other denarii showing hair styles and posthumous coins. I will hold off on that since I would prefer that this project might feature what we can pull together from our own collections. But there is more interesting stuff "out there," a fair bit of which is affordable.
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Moderator
United States
34430 Posts |
Quote:
Imperial bronze It isn't much to look at, but here is my coin of Sabina. At 26 mm and 11 g, I have it tentatively identified as a Dupondius. Obv inscription is SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG PP. At least to my eyes, the rev is completely obliterated. My preliminary attribution is Vagi 1396, but would be open to other thoughts from the experts here.   "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
616 Posts |
Quote:
Don't know what it is? But her bust style is one of my favourites amongst the roman ladies. Sabina's portrait often reminds me of Lady Liberty on modern US coinage. Plus her hairstyle doesn't look like the torture devices worn by the Severan ladies. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
Nice coins Irbguy! I still need to find an example for my set. Thanks for posting all!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
It's also worth looking out for her left facing portraits. Ther are quite a bit scarcer but can be obtained. Sabina Denarius Obv:- SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG P P, diademed and draped bust left Rev:- VESTA, Vesta seated left holding palladium and scepter Minted in Rome. Reference:- BMC III 902. RIC II 398. RSC 14  Edited by maridvnvm
03/04/2017 04:55 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
Martin, The coin you are showing doesn't match your description. This coin has a Concordia reverse.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
Yes. Sorry.
Copy and paste error.
CONCORDIA AVG, Concordia seated left, holding patera
RIC 399a
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Pillar of the Community
United States
616 Posts |
Since this post is stickied for Sabina in the Women of Rome Coinage List Project, this post captures here deification. http://goccf.com/t/277708 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
Absolutely! Thank you for linking it, it adds so much. I have not ventured into her posthumous issues, but this is tempting.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Great coins, Particularly like Maridunum's but the top three aren't too shabby either ^^
Interesting history too, thanks Lrb
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Replies: 16 / Views: 4,442 |
Posted 02/25/2017 1:09 pm
