Lot 4176
Diadumenian, AD 218. Gold Aureus (7.2g) minted at Rome, AD 218. M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES. Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right of Diadumenian. Reverse: SPES PVBLICA. Spes (Hope) advancing left, holding flower in right hand, raising skirts with left. Sear 7445; Calicó 2984a; RIC 115. Published in Wealth of the Ancient World: The Nelson Bunker Hunt and William Herbert Hunt Collection, Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, 1983, no. 141.
One of the classic rarities in Roman Coinage. Fantastic high relief portrait and delicately toned. Lustrous. Superb Extremely Fine.
Marcus Opellius Diadumenianus, the ten-year-old son of the short-lived emperor Macrinus (AD 217-218), was granted the rank of Caesar soon after his father had succeeded the murdered Caracalla. Coinage in his name was struck in the full range of denominations, though his gold is extremely rare. This superbly preserved aureus carries the message that the young Caesar represents the hope of the future for the Roman people. Unfortunately for him, this was not to be the case. Macrinus' regime was overthrown after just fourteen months of rule when the Severan dynasty was restored in the person of Elagabalus, the son of Caracalla's cousin Julia Soaemias.
Estimated Value $80,000 - 100,000.
The Hunter Collection; Ex Michael F. Price Collection (Stack's, December 3, 1996, lot 226); Sotheby Hunt Sale, June 1990, lot 141; Leu 25, 1980, lot 367; Platt Hall Collection (Glendining's, 1950, lot 1767); Sir Arthur Evans Collection (Ars Classica 3, 1922, lot 106); Karnak find.
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| Realized $310,500 |
