Owner Comments:
The ancient Romans worshipped many deities assimilated over time from different cultures, and whose various aspects were suited to various occasions. Dating back to the Empire’s founder, Augustus, and his adoptive father, Julius Caesar, the divine directory also included members of the imperial family. The deification of dynasts, a process also referred to as apotheosis, held great significance as frequently advertised on imperial coinage. Several examples can be found in this NGC Ancients Custom Set, including this commemorative denarius struck in the name of Caecilia Paulina (? – before 235 AD?).
The obverse features the veiled and draped bust on a figure whose identity and status is indicated by the epithet DIVA PAVLINA, denoting “the divine Paulina”. The theme continues on the coin’s reverse, which depicts a female figure, presumably Paulina herself, reclining on a peacock, a symbol of immortality in Roman mythology. The goddess Paulina appears quite comfortable on her new perch, holding a scepter in one hand and raising the other in a gesture of blessing. Completing the scene is the encircling inscription CONSECRATIO, indicating "consecration," further evidence of Paulina’s elevation to divine status.
This denarius advertises Paulina’s consecration ceremony, a ritual exclusively reserved for imperial family members. Consecration ensured the continued protection and guidance of the deceased dynast. Frequently, consecration resulted in the establishment of a cult or temple in the new deity’s honor, although it is not clear that this was the case for Paulina. In any case, Paulina's deification testifies to the power and influence of the imperial family. As wife of the Emperor, even after death, Paulina held a privileged position and was likely seen as a symbol of stability and prosperity. Therefore, this coin served as important propaganda for Maximinus, whose reputation suffered from the fact he was low born and never set foot in Rome (even his appearance was the subject of much speculation, see the next three denarii in this collection). To this end, perhaps Paulina’s elevation to divine status helped reinforce Maximinus’ authority and bolster his claim to the throne, at least for a while.
Besides information that can be inferred from coins such as this one, little else is known about Paulina. Had she not been deified and subsequently featured on commemorative coinage, she probably would be lost to history.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Diva Paulina, Died before AD 235, AR Denarius (21.5mm, 2.95 g, 5h), Consecration issue, Rome mint, 2nd emission of Maximinus I, AD 235-236. NGC Grade: Ch VF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Veiled and draped bust right, DIVA PAVLINA, Reverse: Paulina, raising hand and holding scepter, reclining left on peacock flying right, CONSECRATIO, References: RIC IV 2 (Maximinus I); BMCRE 127-8 (Maximinus I); RSC 2.