EGYPT, Alexandria. Zenobia. Usurper, AD 268-272. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 9.90 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 of Vabalathus (AD 272). VF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 554. Estimated: $ 2 000

The Beniak Collection of Alexandrian Coinage, Coin-in-Hand Video, Potin

Sold For $ 4 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Zenobia. Usurper, AD 268-272. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 9.90 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 of Vabalathus (AD 272). CEΠTIM ZHNOBIA CЄB, draped bust right, wearing stephane / Homonoia standing facing, head left, raising her right hand, holding double cornucopia with her left; L Є (date) to left. Bland, Coinage 59; Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 5512; K&G 108.2; RPC X Online 75758; Emmett 3912.5 (R2). Brown patina, roughness, flan crack, small edge chip. VF.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Nilus Coins, 6 October 2009.

The widow of Odenathus, the ruler of the rich eastern trade center Palmyra, and the mother and regent of Vabalathus, Septimia Zenobia became a powerful regional ruler in her own right. Granted de facto power in the East by the emperor Gallienus to counteract the Persian advance, Odenathus used the opportunity to establish his own separatist kingdom. When Odenathus was murdered in AD 267, Zenobia used the moment to advance her son Vabalathus. Since he was still in his minority, Zenobia took over as regent, using the confusion following the death of Gallienus to offset her position between Rome and Persia and expand Palmyrene power. In AD 269 the Palmyrenes seized control of Egypt and with it, the Roman grain supply. To bolster her position, Zenobia began to lay claims to an illustrious ancestry, including Cleopatra VII of Egypt and the legendary Dido of Carthage.

Aurelian, initially taken with concerns in the west, pragmatically acquiesced to Zenobia and Vabalathus’ rule in the East. Eventually, though, the situation was stabilized in the West, allowing him to vigorously campaign against them in AD 272. Palmyra was sacked, and both Zenobia and Vabalathus were captured as they tried to make their way to Persia. She was brought to Rome and paraded in Aurelian’s triumph in AD 274, bound in gold chains. According to later tradition, Aurelian, impressed by her beauty and dignity, later freed her, and granted her a villa in Tibur, where she spent the rest of her life.

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session Two – Lot 338–647 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 9 January 2024 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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