Ancient Coins

Diadumenian (Caesar 217-218), Diadumenian (Caesar 217-218), Aureus, c. 217-18, M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES, draped and cuirassed bust right, rev. PRINC IVVENTVTIs AVG, Diadumenian standing facing, head to right, holding signum and sceptre, two signa to right, 7.36g/12h (RIC 101; Calicó 2983; C 2). Extremely fine and well-struck, very rare (£20,000-25,000)

Provenance:
E. Caruso Collection, C. & E. Canessa Auction (Naples), 28 June 1923, lot 463
Bank Leu Auction 38 (Zurich), 13 May 1986, lot 318.

Illustrated on the back cover. Marcus Opelius Diadumenian was only nine years old when his father Macrinus was hailed Augustus. The Historia Augusta reports that he was an exceptionally beautiful boy, tall, dark-eyed and strikingly blonde, despite his father’s Moorish blood. Hopeful of establishing a new imperial house, Macrinus placed the portrait of Diadumenian on his coinage, naming him Antoninus Cæsar. After Macrinus’ defeat Diadumenian fled towards Parthia, only to be overtaken and put to death