My first Maximinus Thrax denarius

By all means, no disrespect for bearded men (I am one of them )
I also like the portraits of Postumus, Victorinus, Tetricus. And the die engravers were clearly not amateurs. But looking at the Thrax portraits from this thread, I suspect they are closer to reality.

 

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I am not fan of this piece. It is fabrication.

In England and probably other countries, the heads of those who had been beheaded were placed on a pole and allowed to rot there for as long they could stay on the stick. It was supposed to a warning to those who might have wanted to go in the condemned person's footsteps. This piece is just an offshoot of that grizzly practice.

 

So you think it's a modern fabrication or "toolie" rather than an ancient one?

 

Compared to its age, yes. I would be surprised if the carving was done more than 300 years ago. That would be about 1720.

Yes, I am a lot older than I ever intended to be. When I was kid, a 100 year old coin was a big deal. Now it's starting to seem modern.

 

I'm a big fan of Maximinus Thrax. His coins are unusually well-struck--perhaps some of the best produced from the entire empire. I wrote about his coins here:

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

This is one of my favorites because it has the rare year 4 legend.



TRP IIII is rare, with only 1 example among 1855 denarii of Maximinus in hoards listed in BMC, page 88.

The website URL is, again: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Maximinus/Maximinus.html

 

Just stumbled across this delicious thread
That Maximinus is in such great shape and just has a wonderful toning/ luster on it
Here's to Septimius Severus favorite soldier.
Stories of young Maximinus abound, like Andre the giant


Of the massive Thracian who took on, and killed, 5 Celts on his own.
His renown was such that none other than Septimius S would praise and request his services.
Here he and his boy are:

 

I had a similar "conversion experience" about Maximinus Thrax after I read
Maximinus Thrax: From Common Soldier to Emperor of Rome by Paul N. Pearson.

This book is one of the finest biographies I've ever read; the research is impressive, with a lot of interesting archaeological and numismatic evidence used to support the scanty literary evidence. Maximinus emerges as a far more impressive figure than the "barbarian with a big chin" stories I'd heard.

https://www.amazon.com/Maximinus-Thrax-Common-Soldier-Emperor/dp/1510708634

Pearson's take on the Battle of Harzhorn is very interesting - the far ranging and deadly incursions of Roman legions deep into Germania (although it might be a Severus Alexander campaign):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_at_the_Harzhorn

 

..very nice @ambr0zie...and there's quite a few fine ones in the posts by the Peeps..i just have a sestertius of him and have recently been lQQking at coins of his son as caesar, which i don't have yet..

 

I just ordered it. You persuaded me!

 

Ordered one myself.

 

My Maximinus Thrax denarius was one of the first ancient coins that I purchased when I started collecting ancients 2 years ago:



Maximinus, 235 - 238 AD Silver Denarius, Rome Mint, 20mm, 3.30 grams Obverse: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximinus right. Reverse: VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm. RIC16

Ex. Ken Dorney

 

I would be very interested to hear what you think of this book - that includes letting me know if I over-sold it!

 

Adding one of mine. Not sure what happened to the reverse lettering: left-over metal from previous strikes clogging the die? The portrait has some interesting (unintended) “features” as well: if you zoom in, he appears to be wearing “lip rings” and a monocle.


Maximinus I "Thrax" (Mar AD 235-Apr AD 238), AR Denarius, Rome mint, 236-238 AD, RIC IV-II 23; RSC 105; Sear 8318; BMCRE 186 (2.94 g, 22 mm)


Obverse: MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.

Reverse: VICTORIA GERM. Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm; at feet a bound captive.

 

I have several sestertii, but all in minor quality: RIC 61 here.

 

I had thought about collecting sestertii from his reign but decided I could not afford it. His later sestertii seem to be smaller and lighter than earlier examples - which include portraiture somewhat similar to Severus Alexander. There are rarities - platform and at least one other - do any Maximinus medallions exist?

 

Great coins, and great writeup, @ambr0zie . LOL, 26 Liters a DAY... hmmm... probly cut wine.


MAX THRAX the Dad


RI Maximinus Thrax 235-238 CE AR Denarius Victory


MAX THRAX the Son


Maximus Maximinus Thrax JUNIOR
CE 235-238
AE Sestertius
Rome mint
priestly emblems

 

Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of MAXIMINUS I between c. March 235 - January 236 A.D. Obv. IMP.MAXIMINVS.PIVS.AVG.: bust r., laur., dr., cuirassed. Rev. PROVIDENTIA.AVG.: Providentia stg. l., holding wand over globe and cornucopia. RCS #2345. RSCIII #77. RICIV #13. DVM #9.

 

Maximinus I, AD 235-238. Æ Sestertius (31mm, 23.18g, 1h). Rome mint. 3rd emission, struck late AD 236-237. Obv: MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM; Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: PAX AVGVSTI; Pax standing left, holding olive branch and scepter: S-C across fields. Ref: RIC IV 81; BMCRE 148-52; Banti 12.