IONIA, Ephesus. Statilia Messalina. Augusta, AD 66-68. Æ (20mm, 5.86 g, 1h). Manius Acilis Aviola, proconsul; Aichmokles, magistrate. Struck under Nero, AD 65-66. Good VF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 469. Estimated: $ 1 000

Roman Provincial, Bronze, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 1 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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IONIA, Ephesus. Statilia Messalina. Augusta, AD 66-68. Æ (20mm, 5.86 g, 1h). Manius Acilis Aviola, proconsul; Aichmokles, magistrate. Struck under Nero, AD 65-66. MECCA[ΛINAN], draped bust right / AIXMOKΛHΣ EΠ ABIOΛA, PΩMH, EΦE, Roma standing facing, head right, holding scepter in right hand and cult statue of Artemis Ephesia in left. Karwiese, MvE 5 87 (V1/R2); RPC I 2632. Green surfaces, light porosity, scratches, peripheral weakness. Good VF.

From the Barry N. Rightman Collection. Ex Hauck & Aufhäuser 14 (6 October 1998), lot 302.

Statilia Messalina was Nero’s third wife, after Octavia and Poppaea Sabina. She was descended from a prominent senatorial family and was married to an ex-consul, Marcus Julius Vestinus Atticus, who was originally one of Nero’s sycophants. Nero, after the death of his wife Poppaea, fixed his eye upon Messalina and decided he must wed her, so Atticus was induced to commit suicide. Messalina managed to survive Nero’s downfall and Otho even planned to marry her before his own rapid demise. Her eventual fate is unknown.

The final winners of all Triton XXIX lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 January 2026.

Triton XXIX – Session Two – Lot 302-613 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 13 January 2026 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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