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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;TJC, post: 3010848, member: 45502&quot;]Severus Alexander to Maximinus Thrax</p><p><br /></p><p>I recently added a Severus Alexander sestertius and two Maximinus Thrax sestertii to my Third Century collection.&nbsp; While viewing my new purchases along with my previous purchases of Severus Alexander and Maximinus Thrax I decided to share all 6 coins together as they represent a broad and interesting range of portraits that can be found of these two emperors.&nbsp; Here are the coins with some commentaries.</p><p>Please share any Severus Alexander and/or Maximinus Thrax coins you like.</p><p><br /></p><p>This first coin was a purchase from a NYINC show a few years ago.&nbsp; It came out of a pick bin.&nbsp; The obverse has deposits over the ‘young’ portrait of Severus Alexander. The rainbow toning surrounding the deposits gives the obverse an attractive quality.&nbsp; I have had this coin up for sale a couple of times but am glad it never sold.&nbsp; It has grown on me.&nbsp; The highlight of the coin is the Victory reverse with stellar VF detail and rainbow cabinet toning I am a sucker for.&nbsp; It deserves better pics I have yet to take.&nbsp; A peculiarity of this coin is that it weighs only 1.92 grams, with a diameter of 18.5 mm.&nbsp; This light weight may indicate that it is an AR limes denarius or represent a lack of quality (or in this case quantity of silver) control.&nbsp; Perhaps some silver from this batch found its way to the coin pouch of a mint worker?</p><p><br /></p><p>Young Alexander Severus was just 13 years old when he was raised as emperor.&nbsp; At that time he was the youngest Roman emperor ever to take the purple.&nbsp; It is likely the memory of his cousin Elagabalus being murdered by the Praetorian Guard was still fresh in his memory.&nbsp; And just like that he was raised emperor.&nbsp; He had one best, “how did you get this job” stories in the palace.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]746708[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]746709[/ATTACH]</p><p>Severus Alexander, (Early Portrait). Denarius.&nbsp; Antioch mint.</p><p>O: IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate, draped bust right</p><p>Rx: VICTORIA AVG, Victory running right with palm and wreath, star in right field. RSC 560. RIC</p><p>1.92 Grams.&nbsp; 18.5 mm</p><p><br /></p><p>This next S Alexander is a local coin shop purchase from some years ago.&nbsp; The portrait shows an ‘older’ S Alexander with a short beard.&nbsp; Both the obverse and reverse have an attractive cabinet rainbow toning.&nbsp; The reverse has a likeable SPES (HOPE) with a large die crack running from the E is SPES toward the B in PUBLICA.&nbsp; This reverse die was surely on its last legs with that bisecting crack.&nbsp;&nbsp; If someone were to ask me what I look for in a coin this would be one of the coins I would pull from collection to show.&nbsp; It has eye appeal, is well centered, full legends, nice rainbow toning, very few distracting marks, VF condition with even wear and a cool die crack.&nbsp; Yeah, I like this coin!</p><p>[ATTACH=full]746710[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]746711[/ATTACH] </p><p>Severus Alexander Denarius. 232 AD.</p><p>O: IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right</p><p>Rx: SPES PVBLICA, Spes walking left holding flower and hem of skirt. RSC 546. </p><p>Reference: RIC IV 254; BMCRE 897; RSC 546</p><p>2.73 grams. 20 mm.</p><p><br /></p><p>The next two coins have portraits that can be compared and contrasted.&nbsp; They are a ‘late’ portrait of Sev Alexander and ‘early’ portrait of Maximinus Thrax.&nbsp; Both are recent purchases made to complete a subset of Maximinus Thrax’s ‘early’, ‘middle’, and ‘late’ portraits.&nbsp; I do not consider this subset complete without a late date Severus Alexander because it is hypothesized that the early portraits of Maximinus Thrax are based on late portraits of S Alexander.&nbsp; The thought is that the die cutters at the mint did not have a likeness of the Thracian giant Maximinus to know what he looked like so they just altered dies of Severus&nbsp; Alexander.&nbsp; Below you can compare and contrast the late portrait of S Alexander (left) with an early portrait of Maximinus Thrax (rt.). </p><p>[ATTACH=full]746712[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]746713[/ATTACH] </p><p>Check out Valentinian’s website for great info on Maximinus Thrax the Thracian giant’s coinage: <a href="http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Maximinus/Maximinus.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Maximinus/Maximinus.html" rel="nofollow">http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Maximinus/Maximinus.html</a></p><p><br /></p><p>The S Alexander is a bit scumbly but I like it for couple of reasons. I like the high relief of the obverse because it shows a strong profile of S Alexander.&nbsp; Another reason is the awesome Sol reverse!&nbsp; I have been on the lookout for this specific reverse showing Sol in raise-the-sun stance with his cloak billowing behind.&nbsp; So “graphic novel” dramatic that I have wanted one and am happy to give this one a home.</p><p><br /></p><p>This coin was minted in 234 AD.&nbsp; In 235 AD the low born Thracian usurper Maximinus Thrax would have his men slay the 26 year old S Alexander and his mother.&nbsp; Severus Alexander ruled the empire with his mother and advisors guiding his hand for 13 years.&nbsp; He lasted way longer than his cousin Elagabalus who didn’t last 4 years.&nbsp; The next emperor to rule as long as he would be Gallienus (253-268 AD).</p><p>[ATTACH=full]746712[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]746714[/ATTACH] </p><p>Severus Alexander Æ Sestertius. 234 AD.</p><p>O: IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate draped bust right</p><p>Rx: PM TR P XIII COS III S-C, Sol walking left, raising right hand &amp; holding whip, cloak trailing behind. RIC 538, Cohen 449, BMC 953, <a href="http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/sear5/s8004.html#RIC_0538" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/sear5/s8004.html#RIC_0538" rel="nofollow">Sear 8004</a>.</p><p>29mm. 16.62 grams</p><p><br /></p><p>As mentioned previously this sestertius shows an early portrait of “Maximinus Thrax” thought by many to be an alteration of S Alexander’s portrait.&nbsp; I really like this coin.&nbsp; It has great eye appeal.&nbsp; The obverse has an attractive black / green mottled patina with a handsome portrait of “Maximinus Thrax” in VF.&nbsp; The Victory reverse is only Good but has a beautiful black/green/yellow/red mottled patina.&nbsp; Very nice coin in hand!! The photo shows at least some of its pizzazz.</p><p><br /></p><p>Although Maximinus was of barbarian (Thracian) birth and never stepped foot in Rome during his reign he had served in the legions since the time of S Alexander’s ‘grandfather’ Septimius Severus.&nbsp; He would have been familiar with Rome’s streets and its citizens. </p><p>[ATTACH=full]746713[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]746716[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Maximinus I (Early portrait. Resembling Severus Alexander?). 235-236 AD.</p><p>Æ Sestertius.</p><p>O: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, draped &amp; cuirassed bust rt</p><p>Rx: VICTORIA AVG S-C, Victory advancing right bearing wreath &amp; palm. RIC 67, Cohen 100, BMC 27.</p><p>15 grams.&nbsp; 29 mm</p><p><br /></p><p>This next Maximinus is another NYINC show pick-up from a few years ago.&nbsp; It has been a highlight of my collection for years now and was my only Maximinus Thrax until now.&nbsp; I like it as much now as when I purchased it.&nbsp; It came to me in a NGC holder graded VF, 4/5 Strike, 5/5 Surfaces.&nbsp; I have since broken it out.&nbsp; In my opinion NGC did a good job designating grade and condition.&nbsp; This sestertius is the AE standard bearer for “nicest surfaces” in my collection.&nbsp; The beautiful olive/green/black original patina is mesmerizing and Pax sure is pretty!&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>[ATTACH=full]746717[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]746718[/ATTACH] </p><p>Maximinus I (Middle portrait)</p><p>AE sestertius. AD 235-236.</p><p>O: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust right</p><p>Rx: PAX AVGVSTI, Pax standing left, holding olive branch and transverse sceptre. S-C across fields. RIC 58; Cohen 34; Sear 8332 var (obv. legend).</p><p>24.95 grams,&nbsp; 33 mm[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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