Balbinus denarius

I was able to acquire this coin at a substantial discount from the original price. It was described in the catalog as being "near Extra Fine, light porosity," but the porosity isn't really visible without magnification, and I think any "demerits" from it are far outweighed by the impressive amount of remaining detail, especially in the obverse portrait.

Balbinus AR Denarius, April-June 238 AD, Rome mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG / Rev. Bearded Emperor, togate, standing front, head left, holding branch in right hand and parazonium or short scepter* in left hand, PM TRP COS II PP. RIC IV-2 5, RSC III 20, Sear RCV III 8489 (ill.). 20 mm., 2.65 g. (Ex: Kirk Davis, Cat # 74, Fall 2019, Lot 83).

* As variously described by the catalogs. To me, it looks more like the former.



Please post any Balbinus coins you may have. (Note that he issued both denarii and antoniniani during his short reign.)

 

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...i would, but its unethical to post coins i don't have yet ..kool coin Donna!

 

Stunning portrait of a considerably hard to acquire emperor
He and Pupi sure are fun additions to get your hands on!
I've only 2/3 of the duo:

 

Balbinus sestertius. Portrait is right on as he resembles the Gerber Baby.

Balbinus. AD 238.

Æ Sestertius, 33mm, 22.9g, 12h; Rome mint. 1st emission.

Obv.: IMP CAES D CAEL BALBINVS AVG; Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.

Rev.: CONCORDIA AVGG; Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia; S C in exergue.

Reference: RIC IVb 22, p. 171.

 

Very nice, @DonnaML ! I don't have a Balbinus to show. As for whether it's a short scepter or a parazonium, even the British Museum can't make up its mind. The print version of BMCRE6 (p. 253) calls it a "short transverse scepter," but their website describes is as a "parazonium." They have two examples in their collection, BMCRE6 26-27; 27 is their plate coin (yours is every bit as nice):

 

Thank you. The reason I vote for parazonium is that I'm pretty sure I see a hilt with a crossguard on the one on my coin. (Unless it's simply part of his toga that I'm seeing!) If it is a crossguard, since when do scepters have them?

In terms of other authorities, RIC IV-2 calls it a parazonium. RSC and RCV both call it a scepter.

 

For whatever reason, coins of "Pupi" seem to me to be even harder to find, and even more expensive, than Balbinus. I think it'll be quite some time, if ever, before I find one to buy! Kind of like Otho being more difficult than Galba or Vitellius (at least that's my impression).

 

Now if I could get my hands on their predecessors, Gordy I & II, I'd be mighty lucky (&wealthy), indeed.
I'll never understand Otho's popularity. I think Galbas just as hard, if not harder to get then Otho. Though I do agree about Viteman being easiest of the three.

 

Well done, @DonnaML ! Very nice looking Denarius... super detail. Congrats!
Now, you GOTTA get the Pair of Idiots! You KNOW how I feel about the Emperors!


BALBINUS


Roman Empire
Balbinus, AD 238
AR Denarius, 20mm, 3.7g, 12h; Rome, AD 238.
Obv.: IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG; Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right.
Rev.: VICTORIA AVGG; Victory standing front with wreath and palm.
Reference: RIC 8
Ex: @John Anthony

These guys loved each other soooooo MUCH! Even the Praetorian Guard got in on their party! Concordia reverse is appropriate!

PUPIENUS


Roman Empire
Pupienus
Ar. denarius, 3g
IMP CM CLOD PVPIENVS AVG, dr. laur. bust r.,
rev., CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated l. on the throne holding patera and double cornucopiae
Seaby, 6
Ex: CJ Martin

 

Great pickup @DonnaML. Here’s one of my favorite virtual trays.

 

Wow -- you have everybody!

 

Beautiful!

 

An Alexandrian Balbinus. ex-Elsen Auction 61 Lot #878.



BALBINUS (ca Apr - Jul 238 CE)
Alexandria, Egypt Year 01 (238 CE)
Bi Tetradrachm
Size: 24 mm
Weight: 12.5 g
Axis: 0

OBV: Balbinus laureate, draped and cuirassed bust facing right. Legend: AKΔЄKKAIΛBAΛBINOCCЄB. Dotted border.
REV: Tyche standing holding cornucopia in left arm, rudder at her feet to left. In left field: LA. Dotted border.
Refs: Emmett-3378.01; Geissen-UNLISTED; Dattari-4687; Milne-UNLISTED.

Dates per RAG Carson "The Coinage and Chronology of AD 238"

- Broucheion

 

DonnaML,

Your denarius shows not the emperor on the reverse, but the Genius of the Senate, so his attribute has to be a short scepter, not a sword! A pity that the BM website perpetuates this old error (Genius misdescribed as emperor). The correction was made by Alföldi in his Insignien und Tracht of c. 1935, followed by many others since then, including a recent article by R. Ziegler. On coins of Antoninus Pius, for example, the same togate figure is labeled GENIO SENATVS. His beard and bushy hairstyle on your coin are exactly as required for the Genius, and exclude Balbinus. No surprise that the Genius of the Senate reappears on the coins of Balbinus and Pupienus, since they were senators themselves and were chosen to be emperors by the Senate.

 

Fascinating. David Sear, at RCV III 8489 (published in 2005) identifies the figure as Balbinus "or the Genius of the Senate." So he is obviously aware of the issue, but still equivocates.

 

DonnaML, Nice score on your Balbinus denarius ! The portrait is accurate & finely engraved & the reverse is an interesting composition. The dual rule of Balbinus & Pupienus was destined to be short-lived .


Period marble bust of Balbinus in the Hermitage Museum.

 

That's a very good style Balbinus denarius to be sure @DonnaML !

I now only have denarii of Balbinus and Pupienus. I used to have antoniniani also but parted with them to fund some other purchases. Anyway here they are, all four of them


Balbinus, Denarius - Rome mint, AD 238
IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Balbinus right
PROVIDENTIA DEORVM, Providentia standing left, holding rod and cornucopiae, globe at feet
2.7 gr
Ref : RIC # 7, RCV # 8490



Pupienus, Denarius - Rome mint, AD 238
IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
PM TRP COS II PP, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and sceptre
3.08 gr
Ref : RCV # 8527, Cohen # 26


My former antoniniani, celebrating "friendship" between them


Balbinus, Antoninianus - Rome mint, AD 238
IMP CAES D CAEL BALBINVS AVG, Draped and radiate bust of Balbinus right
PIETAS MVTVA AVGG, Clasped hands
4.23 gr
Ref : RCV #8486, Cohen #17



Pupienus, Antoninianus - Rome mint, AD 238
IMP CAES PVPIEN MAXIMVS AVG, Draped and radiate bust of Pupienus right
PATRES SENATVS, Clasped hands
4.91 gr
Ref : RCV #8522 var., Cohen #21

I would have benne keeping the antoniniani, rather than denarii, but the style and preservation on the Pupienus denarius were soooo good, I had to keep this one, hence the "brother" denarius too. Decisions, decisions......

Q

 

Balbinus, Sestertius
Roma, 238
IMP CAES D CAEL BALBINVS AVG, Laureate bust right
VICTORIA AVGG, Victory standing left
C 29 - RIC 25




Pupienus, Sestertius
Roma, 238
IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG, Laureate bust right
PAX PVBLICA, Pax seated left
C 23 - RIC 22a

 

Holy smoke! That's one of the finest assemblages of "The Year of the Six Emperors" coins I've encountered!

 

Balbinus (Augustus)
Coin: AE Antoninianus
IMP CAES D CAEL BALBINVS AVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Balbinus right.
FIDES MVTVA AVGG - Clasped hands.
Mint: (238 AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 4.49g / 22mm / -
References: RIC 10 ex Ken Dorney

And his Best Friend Poopy


Pupienus (Augustus)
Coin: Bronze Sestertius
IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG - laureate, draped & cuirassed bust right
VICTORIA AVGG - Victory standing, head left, holding wreath and palm-branch
Mint: (238 AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 19.98g / 28mm / -
Rarity: V Scarce
References:

• RIC 23a
• Sear 2419
• Van Meter 14