I acquired the sestertius of Maximus, pictured below, earlier this year and didn't want to post it until I found a nice looking photo of a sestertius of his father Maximinus I, for comparison. There definitely is a family resemblance, but we don't know if the son was the enormous size of the father. Maximus, c. AD 216-238, probably received the title Caesar when he was 20 years old along with the title Germanicus. After serving 2 years with his father on the frontiers, both of them were murdered by their own troops near Aquileia. Their heads were sent back to the senate in Rome. Maximus as Caesar, AD 236 - 238, Rome Mint, AE Sestertius: 26.39 gm, 31 mm, 12 h. Obverse: Maximus draped and facing right, MAXIMVS CAES GERM. Reverse: Maximus holding baton and transverse spear, 2 standards behind him, PRINCIPI IVVENTVT S C. RIC 13. Ex CNG Group, Auction 70, lot 1044, 2005 EX Munzen & Medaillen GmbH, Auction 9, lot 638, 2001 Photo of Maximinus I sestertius courtesy of CNG, Auction 464, lot 621.
Great looking bronze, congrats. My coin of him was fairly recent addition too. Maximus (235 - 238 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Billon Tetradrachm O: Γ IOVΛ OYHR MAZIMOC KAI, Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R: Draped bust of Selene right; crescent moon before; L Γ (date) behind. Dated RY 3 of Maximinus I (AD 236/237). 13.29g 24mm Milne 3226; Berlin 18208491, Athens 3931; Mathies 60. Emmett 3333.3 (R3). Ex. Pegasi Numismatics - Auction 42, lot 378, May 19, 2020 Pending Wildwinds Publishing
Very nice sestertius of Maximus you have, Al! Very fitting for your collection! I recently posted about an academic article about Maximus and his father regarding their "barbarous-ness" and fitting in with the Roman upper crust and greater society as caesar and emperor, respectively. I found it very interesting! Here is my recent Maximus sestertius acquisition: Maximus, as Caesar, 235-238 AD AE Sestertius, Struck Late 236-237 AD, Rome mint Obverse: MAXIMVS CAES GERM, bare-headed bust, draped, right. Reverse: PIETAS AVG, emblems of the pontificate: littus, secespita, patera, capis, simpulum, and aspergillum, SC below. References: RIC iV 11 Size: 29mm, 16.97g Ex: Warren Esty, Augustus Coins (5/17/20); Ken Dorney, Auction 9 (11/29/19), lot #133; Ken Dorney, VCoins (n.d.), #4750; Owl Coins, Spring-Summer List (1976), Lot #90
Very nice Sestertii, @Al Kowsky ! Agreed on family resemblance... MAXIMUS RI Maximus Maximinus Thrax JUNIOR 235-238 AE Sestertius Rome mint priestly emblems MAXIMINUS THRAX RI Maximinus Thrax 235-238 CE AR Denarius Victory stndg
Mat, Considering the size of your Alexandrian Tet, the coin has an excellent portrait, & being a rarity makes it extra special .
There are also coins of Maximus from other provincial cities. This is an 4 assarion from Tomis with Hygeia on the reverse.
Justin, Your sestertius has an excellent portrait & stunning jade-like patina ! Your coin doesn't have the wear to account for the light weight . Was the mint trying to cut corners on that issue ?
Alegandron, Both your coin are very attractive, & I like the mahogany patina on the sestertius . Do you know the weight on that coin (for comparison to Mat's coin)?
Another provincial of father and son that seems quite scarce: Maximinus I, with Maximus, Caesar. 235-238 AD. Tarsus/Tarsos, Cilicia. Æ 37mm (27.07 gm). Obv: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Maximinus right, seen from behind; Π - Π on either side. Rev: Radiate and draped bust of Maximinus right vis à vis laur., draped, and cuir. bust of Maximus left. SNG von Aulock__; BMC__; SNG Cop__. Alram / MIR, plate 32, Nr. 58 illustrates a specimen from the same obv. die. SNG Levante 1105 (var. - obv. legend).
Provincial, Maximus alone: Maximus, Caesar. 235-238 AD. THRACE, Deultum. Æ (24mm, 6.44 gm, 1h). Obv: Draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Rev: Asklepios standing facing, head left, holding serpent staff. Varbanov 2451(R5) (var-this example has draped and cuirassed bust right. Unlisted? Jurukova 220?
Peter, Both of your provincial bronzes are fascinating coins . Many collectors would be tempted to call the the large bronze from Tarsos a medallion . It must be a special issue of some kind . I'd like to see a complete translation of of both sides. The smaller bronze from Deultum has exceptional die work for a provincial coin. It's interesting to see how many provincial coins depict healing gods & goddesses; your coin with Asklepios, & Doug's coin with Hygeia are good examples. Many of these sites were well known to nobility & the "well to do" for their healing & curative properties.
In modern kidnap situations, it's called "proof of life." Back then sending the head to someone was "proof of death." They also liked to put the heads up on a poll for everyone to see. I read of instances in England where the skulls stayed up on the poll for years. Here is my Maximus coin: Denarius of Maximinus I or Thrax, Obverse: IMP MAXIMINUS PIVS AVG, (“Emperor Maximinus dutiful, patriotic, Augustus.) Reverse: PAX AVGVSTI Pax standing, holding a branch Sear 8310, Ric 312, RSC 31, 31a It's ironic that "Pax" would appear on the reverse of one of his coins. From what I read about him, he was one step higher than a barbarian.
John, That's a handsome portrait of Maximinus I "Thrax" on your denarius . From what I've read, Septimius Severus discovered Maximinus when touring Thrace, & recruited him in the Roman army. Severus was in awe with the Thracian's size while watching him in a wrestling contest. Maximinus is best known for his size, strength, & cruelty . His son Maximus is best known as a party animal & all the young girls he slept with .
Al, I apologize that I owe you an answer. I purchased this years ago, and cannot find the weight. The coin is locked up as I have moved a couple times over the last few years. I am now just starting to be in the position to start reviewing my coins, in-hand. I will get you the weight "sometime" in the future. I am actually very curious about its weight, also. At one time, I posted it as his father. Doug Smith caught it, and corrected that it was JUNIOR.
Fantastic sestertius Al Kowsky! MAXIMUS (Caesar, 236-238) Denarius Rome, 236 3.05 g - 19 mm S 8404 - C 1 - RIC 1 IVL VERVS MAXIMVS CAES, Bareheaded bust right PIETAS AVG, Emblems of the pontificat
Alwin, Your denarius is a gem, great portrait & reverse with pontifical objects . It's interesting that the Rome mint matched designs on sestertii & denarii. The same thing occurred with my sestertius. The denarius pictured below was recently sold by CNG, & is a design match to my sestertius .
