ROMAN EMPIRE - NOVEL Plotina, wife of Trajan (+123). Aureus ND (117-118), Rome. Av. PLOTI - NAE AVG. Bust diademed and draped right. Rv. MATIDI - AE AVG. Bust diademed and draped to the right. Calicó 1150 - RIC.34 ; Gold - 7,04 g - 19 mm - 6 h From the Münzen & Medaillen AG 44 sale, 15-17 June 1971, No. 68, then from the Leo Benz collection, Lanz 94 sale, 22 November 1999, No. 473. NGC Ch XF 5/5 2/5 graffiti edge marks (8585315-001). With graffiti on the right (IωE) and reverse (Iω) which may have significance. The strike is barely off-centre, with busts in high relief. The original gloss is barely burnished in the fields, with minor wear on the high reliefs. Rare. Superb. This aureus celebrates both Plotina, wife of the emperor Trajan, and Matidia, the emperor's niece. It was probably struck at the beginning of Hadrian's principate. Hadrian issued numerous coins celebrating the deified Trajan and some of his relatives, probably for political reasons. Plotinia and Matidia always supported Hadrian. By honouring these women, one of whom, Matidia, had become his mother-in-law, the new emperor strengthened his legitimacy by insisting on dynastic continuity. Coins such as these probably fuelled the rumours surrounding Trajan's succession: some accused Plotinia of having placed Hadrian on the throne by writing a false letter of adoption after her husband's death. It seems more likely that Plotinia simply used her influence to convince Trajan. Nevertheless, it is clear that Hadrian owes his accession to the throne in part to Plotinia.