Haven't purchased too many coins lately - but very happy with this latest addition (thought I should post now - prior to the AMCC 3 Auction madness!). The coin features a really interesting patina that has formed over remaining silvering - for a nice effect. Plus who doesn't love a coin featuring a Serapis severed head and the flowing robes of Sol?? Maximinus II A.D. 312 21mm 4.9g IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG; laureate head right. SOLI INVICTO; Sol standing left in long robe, right hand raised, left hand holding head of Serapis; BI in left and ✶ in right field. In ex. ANT While reading up on the coin, and Maximinus II, I was interested to learn that he was the last Roman Emperor (and ruler overall) to be accorded the title "Pharaoh of Egypt". Although Roman Emperors generally only acknowledged the title whilst visiting Egypt. I was always under the impression that Cleopatra VII was the final Pharaoh.. however her co-ruler Caesarian (her son with Julius Caesar) lived for some months (on the run) before his eventual murder at aged 17... so perhaps its Caesarian (Ptolemy XV Caesar) is considered the last by many? The first dynasty of Egypt started at approximately 3150 BC .. if you are one that includes the Roman Pharaohs (started by Octavian - also called the 34th Dynasty) this title survived in Egypt unbroken (perhaps?) for approximately 3500 years.. During this 3500 years there have been many Persians and Greeks claiming the title of Pharaoh - so why not acknowledge the Roman claim? Gaius Iulius Caesar Augustus depicted Egyptian style on the free-standing temple of Kalabsha in Egyptian Nubia Please share any coins of Maximinus II and/or your thoughts on Pharaonic succession. Thank you for looking!
In that case, this thread needs a Maximinus coin from Egypt! Great coin too! That reverse is beautiful! Maximinus II - Alexandria - RIC 139b (and yep, the patina is red! It’s a bit more vibrant here with the green background but pretty much what it looks like in sunlight.)
Interesting write-up and attractively patinated coin, @Clavdivs! I have no thoughts about the Pharaonic succession, but do have this one to share. Maximinus II Daza, AD 309-313, as Augustus Roman Æ follis; 21.4 mm, 4.88 g, 12 h Antioch, AD 312 Obv: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG, laureate head, right Rev: GENIO AVGVSTI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, holding head of Sol and cornucopiae; *|Z //ANT Refs: RIC 164b; Cohen 21; RCV 14840.
The last emperor whose name was inscribed in hieroglyphs inside the royal cartouche was Trajan Decius at the temple of Esna. The last emperor whose coins featured the syncretic god Serapis was Maximinus Daia.
Cool Fun Fact, @Clavdivs ... personally, I am in the Caesarian Camp as last Pharaoh. However, I understand the Roman Emperors were designated Pharaohs of the Province of Egypt. RI Maximinus II Daia 305-308 CE Folles AE 26mm Trier mint GENIO POPV-LI Genius-Serapis Modius on head standing RIC VI Treveri 667b
If it wasn't Casaerian then it was/is @Alegandron . But can we talk about the elephant in the room!?!? A bunch of sickos are posting pictures of the severed head of a GOD!!... MAXIMINUS II DAIA (310-313). Follis. Antioch. 20 mm, 4,68 g Obv: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG. Laureate head right. Rev: GENIO AVGVSTI / * / B / ANT. Genius standing left, holding head of Sol and cornucopia. RIC VI, S. 643, 164 (b). 2021 Elkowicz ... Had to get one as soon as I first saw one.
He also minted this type in the name of Constantine: Cyzicus mint, A.D. 311-312 RIC 92, var. Obv: IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS P F AVG Rev: SOLE IN-VICTO - Sol, radiate, wearing long robe and holding head of Serapis MKV in exergue; Γ in left field 22 mm, 5.4 g.
I like your argument! I'm happy to consider Max II as the last pharaoh, and Caesarion as the last pharaoh to live in Egypt. (Or was that Domitius Domitianus??) My most relevant coin is an ex Dattari (Alexandria mint): Your new coin is fantastic. I like the look of patinated silver(ing) too, though I suspect it is a taste acquired by ancient coin nerds only. Here are a couple of mine:
MAXIMINUS II DAIA AE Follis OBVERSE: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS PF AVG, laureate head right REVERSE: GENI-O-AVGVSTI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding head of Serapis and cornucopiae. X-A across fields; ALE in ex. Struck at Alexandria 312 AD 4.83g, 21mm RIC VI 149b Ex Spink MAXIMINUS II DAIA AE Follis OBVERSE: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS PF AVG, laureate head right REVERSE: GENIO EX-ERCITVS, Genius standing left by altar, modius on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder (falls low), holding patera from which liquid flows, and cornucopiae. Crescent in upper left field, epsilon over delta in right field. ANT in ex. Struck at Antioch 310-311 AD 6.2g, 23mm RIC VI 147c
here's Maximinus dressed to impress Maximinus II A.D. 309- 310 Ӕ follis 26mm 6.4g MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; Helmeted and cuirassed bust left, holding spear over his right shoulder and shield decorated with two horsemen riding to left, four enemies below them; on cuirass, gorgoneion; on helmet, Sol standing facing in quadriga, raising his right hand in salute and holding globe in his left, around, stars and crescent, crest ending in griffin. VIRTVS EXERCITVS; Mars standing front, head to left, resting right hand on decorated shield and holding spear in left; in field to left, lighted altar; B in right field. In ex. ANT RIC VI Antioch 125
If you consider that Augustus, victor of the Egyptian spoils, was a defacto pharaoh, his successors were too.