Roman Ae26 Coin of Otacilia Severa in a Crystal Pendant
$468.53
A Roman bronze, Ae26 coin minted for Otacilia Severa in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, surrounded by a crystal pendant mount. The coin features the profile bust of the Empress, facing right, diademed and draped, on a crescent. Her head is surrounded by the Romano/Greek legend MAP ΩTAKIΛ CЄOVHPAN CЄB, which would translate as MAR[CIA] OTACIL[IA] SEVIRAN CEB. CEB is an abbreviation of the word Σεβαστοσ, Sebastos, the Greek equivalent of Augusta and thus refers to the Empress’ title. The reverse depicts the frontal image of Tyche, seated within a tetrastyle temple. Above her head is a ram leaping to the right, whilst facing left. To the lower right, there is a half-length figure of the river-god swimming right. The legend reads IOY CЄΠ KOΛΩ NЄCIBI MHT. This translates as JUL[IA] SEP[TIMIA] COLO[NIA] NISIBI[S] MET[ROPOLIS]. The family name of ‘Julia’ refers to Philip I.
The coin is encased in a custom-made, modern, stainless steel, bezel to the obverse, decorated with high quality faceted crystals. On the reverse there is a silver mount, hallmarked at the top, to stabilise the coin within its frame. The steel suspension loop is also branded with a recessed TP, in collaboration with Tresor Paris, the Hatton Garden jewellers.
Dimension listed below measure from clasp to the end of the pendant. Please note the chain is not included in the price of the pendant and is for display purposes. Please enquire for chain availability.
Date: Coin circa AD 244-249. Pendant casing modern.
Condition: Very fine condition.
In stock
Marcia Otacilia Severa was the wife of the Philip I (Philip the Arab) whom she married in AD 234, and mother of Philip II (Philip the Younger). In AD 244, following the death of Gordian III, she became the Empress of the Empire when her husband gained accession to the throne. Sources are unclear about the death of Gordian III but some suggest a murder in which Philip I and Otacilia conspired.
Nisibis, the capital of Mygdonia, Mesopotomia was in a commanding situation on the road between the Tigris and the Mediterranean, and was frequently won and lost in the wars between the Romans, Parthians and Sassanians, until the Emperor Jovian ceded it in AD 363.
