![Diva Paulina, Denarius, 'CONSECRATIO' [ARI-366] - Image 2](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ARI-366-1.jpg)
Description
Dīva Caecilia Paulīna Pia (Diva Paulina), wife of Maximinus I ‘Thrax’ and Augusta, died 235 AD, Silver Denarius (3.43g, 18.5mm), Consecration issue struck under Maximinus I, Rome mint 236-238 AD. Obverse: Veiled and draped bust of Paulina facing to the right, legend surrounds, “DIVA PAVLINA”. Reverse: Paulina, holding sceptre in left arm and raising right hand, seated left on peacock flying to the right, legend surrounds, “CONSECRATIO”. RIC-2; RSC-2; Sear-8400. Struck on a somewhat ragged flan but largely round, the portrait exceptional, the reverse a little soft due to worn dies, Extremely Fine, moderately scarce.
The obverse Latin legend simply reads “Dīva Paulīna”, stating the late empress’ abridged name now that she has been deified. The reverse Latin legend reads “cōnsecrātiō”, referencing Paulina’s deification or consecration as a member of the divine.
Caecilia Paulīna Pia was the wife of Gāius Iūlius Vērus Maximīnus “thrāx” (simply ‘Maximinus I’) and served as Augusta following her husband’s elevation to Augustus after the last of the Severan Dynasty, Severus Alexander, was assassinated. Little is known of Paulina and is infrequently, if at all, referenced in contemporary texts – one such case came a century later by the historian Ammianus Marcellinus who referred to her as the ‘good wife of the difficult emperor’. Paulina likely died in late 235 AD or early 236 AD as coins issued from 236 AD onward by her husband have her deified, now Dīva Caecilia Paulīna Pia. Her anonymity is likely a case of her passing early during Maximinus I’s reign, a reign which was short in itself, as well as the fact that both emperor and empress never set foot in Rome during their reign.
