Maximinus Thrax, Roman emperor 235-238, was a giant--the tallest and strongest man in the empire. His denarii have three distinct portrait styles. This is one of the early style: It has a rare reverse. The catalog of the Reka-Devina hoard lists 1721 denarii of Maximinus and only 1 of this reverse. Here is my new website about the portraits of Maximinus: http://esty.ancients.info/Maximinus/Maximinus.html I solicit suggestions for improving it.
I am always impressed by the artistry on (well-preserved) Roman denarii. Look at the beard and the detail around the eye... astoundingly beautiful, even today.
That's definitely well done and thought out. Only suggestion I can think of is to include other bronze issues and even provincials. Perhaps that would be for another page one day. Up to you of course. Very nice coins and awesome that you have Maximus and Paulina as well.
my example: Nice addition to your pages. I was already aware of the early portraits looking like Sev. A. but this page is better detailed. Hope to get a Paulina sometime next year.
Fantastic coin, Valentinian (great pick-up) ... oh, and I like your coin too, Mat (congrats) => here is my example: ... ummm, I guess this probably falls under the "Big Chin" category?
I don't have any Maximinus Thrax coins yet. I almost got a Sestertius but it was sold before I could get it. I do have a provincial of his son, Maximus Caesar. Very nice coins, Mat and Steve.
Those interested in Maximinus can also seek out his Provincial issues (samples below). Anchialus Thrace / Ares Deultum (Latin Legend) Ninica Claudiopolis, Cilicia The obverse legend is continued on a second line causing some dealers to sell these as Maximus. Some of these are a bit messy with countermarks. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=517488 Alexandria tetradrachm Maximus Caesar from Tomis (4 assaria) I do not have a Paulina. They are RRRR.
Great page, thank you! For the sheer distinctiveness of the portrait, a late period denarius of Maximinus is on my want list.
MAXIMINUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right REVERSE: VICTORIAAVG - Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm Struck at Rome, 235-236 AD March - January 2.8g, 21mm RIC 16, BMC 25, C 99 MAXIMINUS AE Sestertius OBVERSE: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG - Laureate, draped bust right. REVERSE: SALVS AVGVSTI - Salus seated left, feeding snake on altar Struck at Rome, 235-236 AD March - January 20.7g, 29.5mm RIC 85 MAXIMINUS AE Sestertius OBVERSE: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, draped & cuirassed bust right REVERSE: FIDES MILITVM S-C, Fides standing left, standard in each hand Struck at Rome, 235-236 16.3g, 30mm RIC 43
I have a few from "Big Max", here is one: Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG Reverse: Salus seated left, feeding from patera a serpent arising from altar / SALVS AVGVSTI Silver, 22mm, 2.59gm Catalog: RIC 14 Struck: AD 235-238 Rome mint Just a coincidence but the 7'-2" actor Richard Kiel died this week. Among other roles, he played the character "Jaws" in two "James Bond" films.
I have a sestersius of him: It's ex-CNG, ca 2006. They described it as being from a collection owned by someone whose attribution I've lost. It was a woman's collection. I'll try to add some "wild descriptive attributes" on Max that appeared in some contempoaray Roman manuscripts. When I click on the link you provided for your Maximinianus website, I get a html - 404 "Page Not Found" error.
Great page of info Valentinian (didn't know Valentinian was related to Max Thrax though...lol) and very informative website. Not to detract from the quality of all the coins above, but, and it's been mentionned by Valentinian on his page, Max thrax coins are quite easy to find in good condition and at fair prices. Not the same for his relatives though.... Maximinus, Denarius Rome mint, 236 AD IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, Laureate and draped bust of Maximinus right PAX AVGVSTI, Pax standing left, holding an olive tree branch 3.33 gr Ref : Cohen #31, RCV #8310 Maximinius, Sestertius Rome mint AD 235/236 IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust right PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia standing left, holding cornucopia, globe at her feet 22.73 gr Ref : Cohen # 80, RCV # 8337 Paulina, Denarius Rome mint 236 AD DIVA PAULINA, Veiled and draped bust of Paulina right CONSECRATIO, Paulina on peacock flying 3.3 gr Ref : RCV #8400, Cohen #2 Maximus, Denarius Rome mint 236 AD MAXIMVS CAES GERM, Bare bust of Maximus right PRINC IVVENTVTIS, Maximus standing left with two standards 3.31 gr Ref : Cohen #10, RCV #8406 Maximus, Sestertius Rome mint 236-238 AD MAXIMVS CAES GERM, Draped bust of Maximus right PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, Maximus standing left with two standards behind him, SC in field 18.64 gr Ref : RCV #8411, Cohen #14 Q
Nice!! => that's a sweet set of coins you've got there, Cucumbor (yummy, yummy ... nice lookin' collection, brother)
