The Family of Trajan

172, Lot: 204. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Diva Marciana, sister of Trajan. Augusta, circa AD 105-112/4. AR Denarius (20mm, 3.03 g). Rome mint. Struck under Trajan, AD 114. Diademed and draped bust right / Eagle standing left, head right, wings spread. RIC II 743 (Trajan); BMCRE 650 (Trajan); RSC 4. Fine, toned, some light scratches. Rare.

From The John A. Seeger Collection.

Trajan was the first Roman emperor to hail from the provinces (he was born in Spain), and was quick to establish his lineage. Members of his family appearing on his coins include his father Trajan Pater, general and consul, his wife Plotina, his sister Marciana and her daughter Matidia. Trajan and Plotina were childless, so the marriage of Matidia’s daughter Sabina to Hadrian, a fellow Spaniard, was arranged to secure the succession. Hadrian was also formally adopted by Trajan, as Trajan was by Nerva, thus establishing the Antonine principle of succession by marriage and adoption.