I have a small collection of Maximinus II and my favorite types are the martial busts with decorated shields from Antioch. Though the mint of Antioch struck these reverses for Galerius and Maximinus; the obverse with the highly decorated armored bust was only struck for Maximinus II. Antioch was likely his principal residence from 309- 311, so not surprising this special type was struck there. This type may also have referenced the campaign against the Sassanids (not only the martial bust, but also battle scene on shield) waged by Maximinus (late 309-early 310) and perhaps also his desire to be named Augustus; which may have happened during the same campaign-- “at the last general muster he had been saluted by his army under the title of Augustus.” (Lactantius XXXII) Galerius recognized him as Augustus (mid 310) but since the troops of Maximinus had already raised him up, this was probably just a formality. The shields show horseman holding dracos while riding past prisoners. "Behind the motley cavalcade that preceded him the emperor's person was surrounded by purple banners woven in the form of dragons and attached to the tops of gilded and jewelled spears; the breeze blew through their gaping jaws so that they seemed to be hissing with rage, and their voluminous tails streamed behind them on the wind." Ammianus Marcellinus “The Later Roman Empire” book 16 10:7 Maximinus II A.D. 309- 310 Ӕ follis 24x27mm 5.7g MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laureate, cuirassed and draped bust left, r. holding Victory on globe, shield decorated with two riders with dracos and four prisoners and standing figure on l. arm. VIRTVS EXERCITVS; Mars advancing r., nude; r. holding spear, l. shield; [?] in l. field, altar in right. In ex. ANT RIC VI Antioch 124 Maximinus II A.D. 309- 310 Ӕ follis 26mm 6.4g MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; Helmeted and cuirassed bust left, holding spear over his right shoulder and shield decorated with two horsemen with Draco standards riding to left, four enemies below them; on cuirass, gorgoneion; on helmet, Sol standing facing in quadriga, raising his right hand in salute and holding globe in his left, around, stars and crescent, crest ending in griffin. VIRTVS EXERCITVS; Mars standing front, head to left, resting right hand on decorated shield and holding spear in left; in field to left, lighted altar; B in right field. In ex. ANT RIC VI Antioch 125 here's before and after cleaning pictures Maximinus II A.D. 310 Ӕ follis 26x27mm 5.9g MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; bust l., helmeted [with eagle crest] and cuirassed with gorgon on breast, spear over r. shoulder, shield decorated with two horsemen and four prisoners on l. arm. SOLI INVICTAE; Sol, rad. and in long robe, stg. facing, head l., r. raised, l. holding up globe, in facing quadriga; two horses turn l., and two right; in middle A. In ex. ANT cf. RIC VI Antioch 144
I just got another example Maximinus II A.D. 310 Ӕ follis 26x27mm 5.9g MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; bust l., helmeted [with gryphon crest] and cuirassed with gorgon on breast, spear over r. shoulder, shield decorated with two horsemen with draco standards and four prisoners on l. arm. SOLI INVICTAE; Sol, rad. and in long robe, stg. facing, head l., r. raised, l. holding up globe, in facing quadriga; two horses turn l., and two right; in middle B. In ex. ANT cf. RIC VI Antioch 144
