Max Thrax

My denarius of Maximinus I

 

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Wonderful portrait, RC! Coingrats!!!
Here's one of mine that I recently reshot:

 

Can't wait to give it a read! I'm sure it will end up making me want to add a new coin to my collection.

 

My M-Thrax is the same reverse type as yours, @Roman Collector, but it's a later issue with the title Germanicus. On my coin, Maximus Thrax doesn't look similar to Severus Alexander anymore. By then, the engravers would have gotten used to the new guy's portrait. There is reasonable speculation that the peculiar and very prominent facial features of this emperor were caused by acromegaly:


Maximinus Thrax, Roman Empire, denarius, 236–238 AD, Rome mint. Obv: MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM, bust of Maximinus Thrax, draped and laureate, r. Rev: PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia standing l., holding wand pointing at globe in r. hand and cornucopia in l. 20.4mm, 3.5g. Ref: RIC IV.2 Maximinus Thrax 20.

 

This is my only Max:
IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG: Bust of Maximinus I, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right
PAX AVGVSTI: Pax, draped, standing left, holding branch in extended right hand and transverse sceptre in left hand
RIC 12
HCC vol.III p.171, no. 8-10, Pl.52
BMC vol. VI no. 68-70, Pl.35
Cohen no.31

 

His coins appear to be quite available, and generally in more than okay condition.

 

Max and family Sestertii:

 

I just added a table illustrating the three portrait styles of Maximinus Thrax to my website on his coins:

http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Maximinus/Maximinus.html

It is at the top and should make it easier to see which style a coin is in.

 

A wonderful coin! I think Maximinus I "Victoria Germ" series has gained in interest since the discovery of battle field at the Harzhorn in northern Germany, to which this coin refers.:
Battle at the Harzhorn - Wikipedia

 

I just read your updated page on the Maximinus Thrax coins and found it very informative. Thanks a lot for taking the time to share your numismatic knowledge this way!

And to keep this thread alive, here is a recently purchased Maximinus Thrax denarius. A "big chin" portrait according to your classification:

Maximinus Thrax, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 235–236 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG; bust of Maximinus Thrax, laureate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: PAX AVGVSTI; Pax, draped, standing l., holding branch in extended r. hand and transverse sceptre in l. hand. 21mm, 2.78g. Ref: RIC IV Maximinus Thrax 12 (denarius).

 

My only Max Thrax (@Valentinian's third type, I believe) and Maximus:

Maximinus I Thrax AR Denarius, 236/38 AD. Obv. Laureate bust right, draped & cuirassed, MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM/ Rev. Fides stdg., facing, head left, holding standard in each hand, FIDES MILITVM. RIC IV-2 18A, RSC III 9, Sear RCV III 8307. 20 mm., 2.77 g.



Maximus Caesar (son of Maximinus I) AR Denarius, 235-38 AD. Obv. Draped bust right, IVL VERVS MAXIMVS CAES / Rev. Sacrificial implements: lituus [curved augural staff], knife, jug, simpulum [ladle] & sprinkler, PIETAS AVG. RIC IV-2 1, RSC III 1, Sear RCV III 8404, BMCRE 118. 19 mm., 1.7 g.

Photo from Frank S. Robinson; I haven't had a chance to take my own. (Which I really should, since Frank's photos tend to blur when you enlarge them -- he must use a low resolution.)



I'd love a Diva Paulina, but I find them to be very scarce and expensive.