Obverse: DIVAE MARINIANAE, veiled and draped bust of Mariniana facing right, set on crescent.

Reverse: CONSECRATIO, Mariniana, raising hand and holding sceptre, reclining left on peacock flying upward to the right.

RIC V 6; MIR 36, 220b; RSC 16. [Rome, AD 254].

Diameter: 21 mm. Weight: 2.12 g.

A scarce silver antoninianus of Diva Mariniana - wife of Valerian and mother of Gallienus, struck in Rome, circa AD 254. Several coins bearing the legend DIVAE MARINIANAE date back to the beginning of the reign of Valerian and Gallienus. Given the practice of deifying the wives who died before their husbands' assumption of the Principate, it is probable that Mariniana died before 253. The reverse shows the Apotheosis of Mariniana as she ascends to the heavens carried aloft on Juno’s sacred peacock. A nice detailed example with attractive grey toning.