Matidia Denarius (112/4–119 AD) - The Rare Denarius Honoring Trajan’s Niece

In the golden age of Roman imperial power, coins were far more than money, they were political tools, religious tokens, and commemorative statements etched in precious metal. Among the most poignant examples of this tradition is the Matidia Denarius RIC II 754, a posthumous silver coin struck to honor the deified niece of Emperor Trajan: Salonia Matidia. This denarius is not only rare but deeply meaningful, capturing the Roman ideal of divine ancestry, familial loyalty, and imperial reverence. With its striking imagery and potent symbolism, the coin offers us a glimpse into the inner sanctum of the Trajanic and Hadrianic dynasties.

Obverse: The Divine Augusta

The obverse features a draped bust of Matidia facing right, her hair arranged in elegant coils and likely adorned with a crescent-shaped diadem or a jeweled headdress. The craftsmanship reflects the stylistic conventions of elite Roman women regal, serene, and idealized. The inscription reads: DIVA MATIDIA AVGVSTA. This declares her posthumous elevation to divinity “The Divine Augusta Matidia.” This title was not given lightly. In a society where only emperors and select women were granted diva status, Matidia’s consecration reflects not only her closeness to power but also her personal reputation and influence within the imperial family.

Reverse: Eagle of Ascension

The reverse presents a vivid image of Roman spiritual ideology: An eagle, wings outspread and standing atop a scepter, its head turned right, gazes heavenward - a visual metaphor for apotheosis, the transformation from mortal to divine. The inscription reads: CONSECRATIO. This word, used in many Roman imperial funerary issues, translates to “consecration” or “deification,” reinforcing the religious function of the coin. The eagle was the sacred bird of Jupiter, king of the gods. It symbolized the soul of the deceased being carried into the heavens a belief that gave divine legitimacy to the emperor’s lineage. For Matidia, this imagery solidified her place among the gods and linked her legacy to both Trajan and Hadrian, under whom she was deified.

Who Was Matidia?

Salonia Matidia was born into imperial privilege. She was the daughter of Ulpia Marciana (Trajan’s sister), making her Trajan’s niece, and later became the mother of Vibia Sabina, who married Emperor Hadrian. This made Matidia both a linchpin of dynastic continuity and a figure of maternal influence at the height of Rome’s power.

• She was granted the title Augusta in her lifetime an exceptional mark of prestige.
• Upon her death in 119 AD, Hadrian organized her deification and issued commemorative coins in her honor, including the RIC II 754 denarius.
• Hadrian’s devotion to Matidia is well-attested in ancient sources, and her consecratio may have helped solidify his own legitimacy early in his reign.

In life, she was respected. In death, she became divine and this coin is the proof.

Pierced and Worn: A Coin Beyond Currency

Interestingly, many surviving examples of the Matidia denarius are found pierced or show signs of having been attempted to be pierced. This raises fascinating questions about how these coins were used in the ancient world.

Why Were Coins Like This Pierced?

• Devotional Jewelry: Coins honoring deified figures were often worn as pendants or amulets, serving both as personal adornments and as tokens of spiritual protection or reverence.
• Mourning Tokens: Shortly after her death and deification, admirers or relatives may have worn these coins as a sign of remembrance, much like we wear mourning jewelry today.
• Imperial Propaganda Made Personal: Wearing such a coin would also signal one’s loyalty to the imperial family a subtle political statement.
• Later Reuse: Some piercings may date to later periods, when the original meaning of the coin was lost, and it was repurposed simply for its beauty or silver content.

Coins with CONSECRATIO and eagle reverses were especially popular as devotional objects, and the Matidia denarius fits squarely into that tradition.

Numismatic and Historical Importance

The Matidia Denarius RIC II 754 is a standout example of Roman artistry, symbolism, and dynastic reverence. Struck in silver, weighing approximately 3.2 grams, and minted in Rome shortly after 119 AD, the coin is considered rare, particularly in well-preserved (and unpierced) condition. For collectors, this coin represents:

• A rare female consecration issue in silver.
• A personal connection to Trajan and Hadrian, two of Rome’s greatest emperors.
• A finely executed example of the imperial religious message linking family, divinity, and empire in a single, elegant object.

Final Thoughts

The Matidia Denarius is more than a numismatic rarity it’s a silver thread in the tapestry of Roman memory. Through the serene bust of Matidia and the soaring eagle of the reverse, we glimpse not only an empress deified, but an empire’s belief in the power of lineage, virtue, and divine right. Whether pierced for devotion, worn in mourning, or struck for imperial legitimacy, this coin tells a story that transcends time — a story of a woman, a dynasty, and a belief that the dead could rise to the heavens in silver.