FIDES MILITVM is a popular reverse type in the 3rd Century A.D. Yet the weird thing about "The Loyalty of the Army" is that it was little more than a bad joke in many cases, and shows us to a great extent how precarious the position of many of the emperors of that time were. Fides was actually a goddess who had a temple in Rome on the Capitoline hill in close proximity to the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. One notes that the type became much more common during the time of Rome's 3rd century tumult. Edward Gibbon pointed out "the licentiousness of the soldiers" on many occasions leading to the downfall and death of the presiding ruler. This example of Maximinus Thrax both honors the army and appeals for continued loyalty. Such was not to be since the year 238 was the time of the six emperors. First the governor of Africa, Gordianus, was forced to take up the purple by an angry mob that had murdered Maximinus' tax collectors, and who insisted that he become the figurehead of the revolt. Gordian associated himself with his son Gordian II and prepared to do battle with Capellianus, governor of Numidia who stayed loyal to the Thracian. Marching out with an army of slaves and disgruntled youths, Gordian II died in battle against a single legion commanded by Capellianus. On hearing the news, Gordian I killed himself. The Senate, who had enthusiastically backed the revolt by recognizing the Gordians, was in a very precarious position. Exposed to the anger and rage of Maximinus, they decided to appoint two aged Senators, Pupienus and Balbinus to defend the city. Eventually Pupienus, traveling northward, fortified the city of Aquileia against Maximinus. When Maximinus attacked, he was repulsed by the defenders. The soldiers were cowed and dismayed as the seige dragged on, and FIDES MILITVM became a hopeful paean issued by the emperor. Tired of the cold weather and exposed to the elements, the soldiers killed Maximinus and his son. Maximinus I Thrax, 235-238 A.D. AR Denarius. 19mm, 3.7 grams Obverse: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right Reverse: FIDES MILITVM Fides standing between two standards Reference: RIC 18A; Sear 8307 Please show your hopeful FIDES MILITVM coins if you wish, one of the most poignant propaganda types of the 3rd century...
A.C.H. That's a nice looking denarius although the reverse looks a little out of focus. The two coins below I've posted before but will post again for the sake of comparison. The 2nd coin should look very familiar .
I have one of those, but not nearly as nice: And here's another, issued by Valerian just after he was declared emperor. After 25 years of chaos, this time it was sort of true?
I have this rough Probus ant with the reverse type....the whole loyal army thing didn't really pan out for him either did it? PROBUS (276-282). Antoninianus. Ticinum. Obv: IMP C PROBVS P F AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right. Rev: FIDES MILIT / VIXXT. Fides standing left, holding standard in each hand. RIC 365. 24 mm, 3.4 g
Nice Max Thrax, @ancient coin hunter. I only have two Fides militum coins, one of Macrinus (which depicts Fides militum, but without the FIDES MILITVM inscription) and another of Victorinus. Macrinus, AD 217-218. Roman AR denarius, 2.94 g, 19.5 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 217. Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: PONTIF MAX TR P COS P P, Fides Militum standing facing, head right, right foot on helmet and holding a military standard in each hand. Refs: RIC 22A; BMCRE 38; Cohen 60; RCV 7345; ERIC II 69. Victorinus, AD 269-271. Roman billon antoninianus, 2.63 g, 20.1 mm. Cologne (though CNG attributes this coin to Treveri), AD 269/70. Obv: IMP C PIAV VICTORINVS PF AVG, radiate, draped bust, r. Rev: FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing l., holding two standards. RIC-109; Cohen-36; AGK-5b; De Witte pl. XXVI, 22; Sear-unlisted.
Two very rare types of Carausius (286-293 CE), both from the "C" mint: a FIDES MILITVM and a CONCORDIA MILITVM:
Great coins in a great post. Just got this in yesterday - Gordian III antoninianus with FIDES MILITVM reverse - my first RIC 1. A politically realistic way to start the reign (as Augustus). Gordian III Antoninianus (238-239 A.D.) (1st Issue, 1st Officina) Rome Mint IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate draped bust right / FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing with standard and transverse sceptre. RIC 1 (Aug); RSC 86. (4.31 grams / 21 mm)
M AVR CARINVS NOB CAES Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. FIDES MILITVM Fides standing left with a standard in each hand. Ex. P in right field/XXI 23mm, 4.9gr, Die 180. 1th emission Nov. 282 Siscia mint
That’s a nice one! The slivering on that coin is so intact that it looks like a silver coin! Great portrait too!