Coin, Orbiana, Sestertius
225-227 - Rome - EF(40-45) - Bronze
Bust of Orbiana, diademed, draped, right.
Concordia, draped, seated left, holding patera in right hand and double cornucopiae in left hand
Beautiful and rare sesterce of Orbiana, wife of Alexander Severus for two years (225-227). The rarity of this coin is explained by the fact that it's the only wife of the emperor represented on coins. Orbiana was the daughter of an influential Roman senator of the beginning of the IIIrd century, Seius Sallustius. She married the emperor at the age of 16 by the will of the mother of the latter Julia Mamaea. Quickly, the things become poisonous between the mother of the emperor and his wife, so that Orbiana seeks refuge to her father, whose influence grew during the two years. Finally, Sallustius was executed by the Praetorian Guard in August 227 while his daughter Orbiana was repudiated by the emperor and banished in Libya. Events undoubtedly led by the mother of Alexander Severus, who did not interfere in this conflict.
SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG
CONCORDIA AVGVSTORVM S C
17.68 gr
Bronze
Bronze (not to be confused with brass, although usage of the two terms varied in times of yore) is an extremely ancient alloy with origins going back to the period around 2,000 BC. Also known...wait for it...as the Bronze Age (who would have guessed?). Back in ancient times, a proportion of 10% tin was added to copper. It was used in particular for luxurious objects such as swords, helmets, hairpins, and even chariot ornaments.
That is by no means insignificant though, as when putting on a bronze helmet you would already find yourself with an extra 3 kilos or so on your head. Add to that your sword and armor…let’s see you advance quickly now!
The heavyweight of alloys one might say*.
The first Western bronze coins probably date back to the end of the 4th century BC and Greece.
Although the coins may be ancient, it is more difficult to date the appearance of a specific word for this alloy. The earliest record is a Venetian manuscript in Greek dating from the 11th century, but it is not impossible that it was in use earlier.
Nowadays, the bronze used in coinage is an alloy of copper (majority) and tin (minority) along with other metals such as zinc, for example, which improves the castability, or nickel, which produces a harder alloy. Its main qualities are undeniably its great resistance to corrosion and mechanical wear as well as...its aesthetic aspect.
The patina of bronze can vary, ranging from verdigris to brown through to black.
*Actually, puns aside, copper and cupronickel have a greater density, for example.
An “EF(40-45)” quality
As in numismatics it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
Extremely Fine
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has circulated well from hand to hand and pocket to pocket but the impact on its wear remains limited: the coins retains much of its mint luster, sharp detailing and little sign of being circulated. Closer examination with the naked eye reveals minor scratches or nicks.