| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Herakles Auction 2 | Auction date: 3 March 2025 |
| Lot number: 102 Price realized: 200 EUR (Approx. 208 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Roman Imperial Plautilla. Augusta AD 202-205. Struck circa AD 202. Rome Denarius AR 18 mm, 3,38 g PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE, draped bust of Plautilla to right / PROPAGO IMPERI, Plautilla on left clasping hands with togate Caracalla on right. Extremely Fine RIC IV 362 (Caracalla); BMCRE 406 (Caracalla); RSC 21. Publia Fulvia Plautilla, commonly known as Plautilla, was a Roman empress as the wife of Caracalla, who later became emperor. Her life was marked by political intrigue, familial tensions, and a tragic end, reflecting the instability of the Severan dynasty. She was born into a prominent family, as the daughter of Gaius Fulvius Plautianus, a powerful praetorian prefect under Emperor Septimius Severus and one of the most influential figures of his time. Plautilla's marriage to Caracalla was arranged around AD 202 by Severus and Plautianus to strengthen political alliances within the ruling elite. However, the union was notoriously unhappy. Caracalla reportedly despised Plautilla, treating her with disdain and making no effort to hide his animosity. Their personal conflict was exacerbated by the tense relationship between Caracalla and Plautianus, whose influence over the emperor and his family was significant but controversial. Plautilla's fortunes declined rapidly after her father fell out of favor. In AD 205, Plautianus was accused of plotting to overthrow Septimius Severus and was executed. Following her father's disgrace, Plautilla was exiled to the island of Lipari, along with other members of her family. Her marriage to Caracalla was effectively nullified by these events. After Severus' death in AD 211, Caracalla became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. One of his early actions as emperor was to order Plautilla's execution, likely to eliminate any remaining political threat from her family. Her tragic end illustrates the brutal nature of imperial politics during the Severan period, where familial alliances often turned into deadly rivalries. Plautilla is remembered primarily through coinage issued during her brief tenure as empress. These coins, which depict her with elaborate hairstyles and inscriptions emphasizing her status as Augusta, serve as rare reminders of her fleeting presence in Roman history. Her story highlights the precariousness of life within the imperial family and the often-fatal consequences of power struggles in ancient Rome. Starting price: 150 EUR |  |
Match 1:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 261 | Silver | Auction date: 30 March 2025 |
| Lot number: 428 Price realized: 50 EUR (Approx. 54 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Diva Faustina I after AD 140-141. Rome Denarius AR 18 mm, 3,36 g DIVA-FAVSTINA, draped bust of Diva Faustina right, seen from front, hair elaborately waved in several loops around head under thin band, braided, drawn up, and coiled on top with pearls / C-E-RES, Ceres seated left, grain ears in right hand, long torch in left. Very Fine RIC III (Antoninus Pius) 379. Annia Galeria Faustina was born into an aristocratic Roman senatorial family of Spanish descent. Her father and brother held high political ranks, while her maternal uncle was Emperor Hadrian. Around AD 115, she married Titus Fulvius Antoninus, whose rise to power was aided by her connections. When Hadrian's chosen heir, Aelius Caesar, died in AD 138, the emperor named Antoninus as his successor. Later that year, Antoninus became emperor, and Faustina was honored as Augusta. Beloved for her elegance, compassion, and distinctive hairstyle-widely imitated across the empire-Faustina was a popular figure. Though later historians criticized her for lacking "gravitas," Antoninus was deeply devoted to her. The couple had four children, including Faustina the Younger, who married Marcus Aurelius. Faustina died just two years into Antoninus' reign, and in his grief, he secured her deification and issued an extensive posthumous coinage in her honor, the largest ever for a Roman woman. This magnificent aureus belongs to that series. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
Match 2:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Herakles Auction 2 | Auction date: 3 March 2025 |
| Lot number: 106 Price realized: 250 EUR (Approx. 260 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Roman Imperial Severus Alexander AD 222-235. Struck AD 231-235. Rome Denarius AR 20 mm, 3,18 g IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander to right / SPES PVBLICA, Spes walking to left, holding flower and raising skirt. Extremely Fine RIC IV 254; BMCRE 900; RSC 546. Severus Alexander ruled as Roman Emperor from AD 222 to 235, becoming the last ruler of the Severan dynasty. His reign, marked by efforts at reform and relative stability, ended violently, ushering in the chaotic period of the "Crisis of the Third Century". Born in AD 208 as Marcus Julius Gessius Alexianus, he was the cousin and adopted son of Emperor Elagabalus, whom he succeeded after a palace coup orchestrated by the influential Severan women. Severus Alexander ascended to the throne at the age of 14, under the guardianship of his grandmother, Julia Maesa, and his mother, Julia Mamaea, who held considerable influence over his policies and administration. His reign is often viewed as a cooperative effort between the young emperor and his advisors, with a focus on restoring traditional Roman values and improving governance. Alexander prioritized financial and administrative reforms. He curtailed the extravagant spending that had characterized the reign of Elagabalus and worked to stabilize the economy, including ensuring consistent coinage and balancing the budget. He also sought to foster good relations with the Senate, reversing the autocratic tendencies of some of his predecessors and involving senators more directly in imperial administration. Religiously, Severus Alexander promoted tolerance. He maintained traditional Roman religious practices while showing respect for other faiths, including Christianity and Judaism, which were gaining influence within the empire. His policies reflected an openness that helped maintain a degree of religious harmony during his reign. Militarily, Alexander faced significant challenges. In the east, he confronted the rise of the Sassanian Empire under Ardashir I, who posed a major threat to Roman territories in Mesopotamia. Although the Roman forces managed to repel the Sassanian invasions, the campaigns highlighted the empire's growing difficulties in defending its vast frontiers. In the north, Germanic tribes, including the Alemanni, began pressuring the Rhine and Danube frontiers. In AD 235, Alexander personally led an army to confront the Germanic tribes but faced discontent among his troops. His attempts to negotiate with the enemy, likely to avoid further losses, were perceived as weak and unpopular with the soldiers. This dissatisfaction culminated in a mutiny, during which Alexander and his mother were murdered by their own troops near Mogontiacum (modern Mainz, Germany). The rebellion brought Maximinus Thrax, a general of humble origins, to power. Severus Alexander's assassination marked the end of the Severan dynasty and the beginning of the *Crisis of the Third Century*, a period of severe instability that saw numerous short-lived emperors and widespread military, economic, and social turmoil. Despite his tragic end, Alexander is remembered for his attempts to restore order and maintain the principles of good governance during a challenging time for the Roman Empire. Starting price: 250 EUR |  |
Match 3:
| Numisart GmbH > Auction 11 | Auction date: 29 June 2025 |
| Lot number: 288 Price realized: 60 EUR (Approx. 70 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Plautilla, Augusta (AD 202–205). Denarius (AR, 19 mm, 3.56 g) Rome mint, AD 202. PLAVTILLAE – AVGVSTAE Draped bust of Plautilla right / PROPA–GO IM–PERI Plautilla, draped and on the left, and Caracalla, togate and on the right, standing facing each other and clasping their right hands. RIC 362; Cohen 21; BMC 406. Minor flan crack. About very fine. Starting price: 60 EUR |  |
Match 4:
| Eid Mar Auctions GmbH > Auction 8 | Auction date: 9 February 2025 |
| Lot number: 243 Price realized: 70 EUR (Approx. 72 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Roman Imperial Plautilla, Augusta, 202-205 AD. AR Denarius (19 mm, 3,08 g.). Rome, 202-203 AD. PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA Draped bust of Plautilla to right. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGG Concordia standing front, head to left, holding patera in her right hand and long scepter in her left. BMC 411. Cohen 1. RIC 363a. Good very fine. Estimate: 50 EUR Starting price: 40 EUR |  |
Match 5:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Herakles Auction 2 | Auction date: 3 March 2025 |
| Lot number: 95 Price realized: 3,600 EUR (Approx. 3,744 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Roman Imperial Antoninus Pius AD 138-161. Struck circa AD 138. Rome Aureus AV 18 mm, 7,21 g IMP T AEL CAES ANTONINVS, bareheaded, draped and cuirassed bust of Antoninus Pius to right / TRIB POT COS/ PIETAS, Pietas, veiled and draped, standing right, holding up right hand and holding acerrum in left; to right, lighted and filleted altar. Extremely Fine Calico 1597; RIC (Hadrian) 454b. Under Antoninus, Rome experienced a "Golden Age" of prosperity with minimal military conflict-a rarity in Roman history. Unlike many of his predecessors and successors, Antoninus refrained from initiating new wars and instead focused on maintaining the existing frontiers, making modest expansions only in Britannia. He constructed the Antonine Wall, north of Hadrian's Wall, to secure Rome's hold over parts of present-day Scotland, but it was eventually abandoned. His approach to governance prioritized diplomacy and stability over conquest, a policy that would become one of his defining legacies. Economically, Antoninus promoted efficient governance, reduced taxes, and oversaw significant public works, including the maintenance and improvement of infrastructure such as roads, aqueducts, and temples. He also responded to crises with generosity, such as providing relief after natural disasters and improving conditions for the poor. His reign was marked by the development of legal reforms that strengthened the Roman legal system. His legal philosophy emphasized equity, influencing the development of Roman law long after his death, as he made justice more accessible and standardized for Roman citizens. Antoninus's reputation for piety extended to his family and his relationship with the gods, both of which were highly valued in Roman society. He was married to Faustina the Elder, with whom he shared a notably affectionate relationship. After her death, he honored her by deifying her, commissioning the Temple of Faustina in the Roman Forum, and establishing charitable foundations in her name to support Roman girls, showing his commitment to both family and public welfare. Antoninus was also the first in a succession of "Five Good Emperors," whose peaceful transfer of power exemplified an ideal in Roman governance. His adoption of two successors, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, ensured a stable line of succession, which preserved peace and stability beyond his reign. Upon his death in AD 161, Antoninus was deeply mourned and quickly deified, receiving a public funeral and a temple in his honor. His legacy is often regarded as one of the high points of the Roman Empire, embodying a model of the ideal ruler: one who valued peace, piety, stability, and justice. Starting price: 3000 EUR |  |
