640
Diva Paulina (wife of Maximinus I, d. c. AD 235), Silver Denarius, 2.5g. Mint of Rome, under Maximinus I,
AD 236.
DIVA PAVLINA
, veiled and draped bust facing right. Rev.
CONSECRATIO
, peacock in full splendor
standing facing, head left (RIC 1; BMC 135; RSC 1). A marvelous portrait of Paulina, lustre present and
delicately toned, superb extremely fine.
Rare.
$ 1,500
Paulina was the wife of the Thracian emperor, Maximinus I, and pre-deceased his elevation to the throne in AD 235. In 236
Maximinus elevated his young son, Maximus, to the rank of Caesar and had Paulina deified by the Roman Senate.
641
Gordian II (AD 238), Silver Denarius, 2.48g, 5h. Mint of Rome.
IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG
, bust
facing right, laureate, draped and cuirassed. Rev.
PROVIDENTIA AVGG
, Providentia standing left, her legs
crossed, leaning against a column, holding a short sceptre over a globe and a cornucopiae (RIC 1; C 5;
BMC 19; RCV 8465). Broad flan, toned, good very fine.
Rare
.
$ 2,750
642
Balbinus (AD 238), Silver Denarius, 3.2g. Mint of Rome.
IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG
, laureate, draped
and cuirassed bust facing right. Rev.
PROVIDENTIA DEORVM
, Providentia standing facing, head left, holds
wand over globe at feet to left and cornucopiae (RIC 7; BMC 3; RSC 23). Boldly struck on both sides on a
wide flan, nicely toned, superb extremely fine.
A splendid example of this rare issue.
$ 1,000
ex Steinberg, NAC 1973 Sale, lot 320
After the death of the Gordiani, the Senate nominated two of their own, Balbinus and Pupienus, as joint emperors to oppose
Maximinus I who was then quickly marching towards Italy at the head of his legions from the Balkans. Pupienus had risen through the
ranks of the military before becoming a senator and was thus the natural choice to lead the defense in northern Italy, while Balbinus
stayed behind in Rome to shore up support there. When Maximinus’ troops arrived before Aquileia, lack of provisions caused them
to mutiny. They murdered the emperor and his son and paraded their disembodied heads on lances which they carried to Rome.
Although Maximinus was now out of the way, the city of Rome remained in a state of turmoil. The joint emperors, being wealthy
patricians, were not well liked by the inhabitants who forced the Senate to nominate as Caesar the grandson and nephew of the
Gordiani, Gordian III. Despite this attempt at appeasement, however, the people were in open revolt. Fire had been set to the city,
causing much devastation and making many homeless. To make matters worse, the co-emperors were mutually suspicious of one
another. In the ensuing disorder, the Praetorian Guard broke into the palace and murdered both emperors, elevating the young
Gordian III as the new emperor.
643
Pupienus (AD 238), Silver Denarius, 3.33g, 12h. Mint of Rome.
IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG
, bust facing
right, laureate, draped and cuirassed. Rev.
P M TR P COS II P P
, Felicitas standing left, holding a caduceus and
a sceptre (RIC 6; BMC 52; C 26; RCV 8527). Good style, extremely fine.
Scarce
.
$ 550
