Æ18 - Trajan PLOTINA ET MARCIANA AVG

Parium, a Roman colony on the southern Marmara coast, held colonial status from Augustus onward and exercised the right to strike bronze locally well into the second century. This piece honors both Plotina and Marciana simultaneously — Trajan's wife and elder sister — a pairing that reflects the unusual degree of public prominence both women held during his reign. Plotina in particular was credited by ancient sources, including Cassius Dio, with securing the succession of Hadrian, allegedly falsifying or delaying the announcement of Trajan's death in 117 to allow the adoption documents to be finalized.