Lot 73 - Numismatic Auction 18

Pupienus (238) Sesterce - Rome ...
Pupienus (238) Sesterce - Rome ...
Pupienus (238) Sesterce - Rome (Avril à Juillet 238). Monnaie à la patine originale ce qui est rarissime pour un sesterce. Rare et ... Read more
Estimate:
12.000,00 CHF
Starting price:
8.000,00 CHF

Bids

Lot status:
Auction closed

Description

Pupienus (238)
Sesterce - Rome (Avril à Juillet 238).
Monnaie à la patine originale ce qui est rarissime pour un sesterce.
Rare et d’une qualité exceptionnelle.
23.17g - C. 23 - BMC 48 - RIC 22a.
Pratiquement FDC - CHOICE AU*

From AD 235 the Emperor Maximinus Thrax ruled and was much disliked. “The Romans could bear his barbarities no longer—the way in which he called up informers and incited accusers, invented false offences, killed innocent men, condemned all whoever came to trial, reduced the richest men to utter poverty and never sought money anywhere save in some other’s ruin, put many generals and many men of consular rank to death for no offence, carried others about in wagons without food and drink, and kept others in confinement, in short neglected nothing which he thought might prove effectual for cruelty—and, unable to suffer these things longer, they rose against him in revolt. And not only the Romans, but, because he had been savage to the soldiers also, the armies which were in Africa rose in sudden and powerful rebellion and hailed the aged and venerable Gordian who was proconsul there, as emperor” (Historia Augusta, The Two Maximini 13.5-6). This started the so-called ‘Year of the Six Emperors’, including the one who struck this superb sestertius: Pupienus, who was born c. AD 165/170, successor to the co-emperors Gordian I and Gordian II (22 March until 12 April AD 238), who ruled himself in partnership with Balbinus from 22 April until 29 July AD 238 (the sixth emperor was Gordian III). Rather than his second nomen, the few ancient texts that refer to Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus, designated him by his cognomen Maximus. It was claimed that he was the son of a simple blacksmith, but he seems in fact to have been the son of a Senator! Nevertheless, by the time he became co-emperor he had indeed achieved an impressive military career: imperial legate in Germany after AD 207, proconsular govern of Asia, and finally Urban Prefect of Rome in AD 234; he was also consul in AD 222 and AD 234. When the Senate learned of the death of the Gordians, they voted for Pupienus and Balbinus to become emperors, and they were elected Pontifices Maximi; but this choice by the Senate (rather than the army) was resented by the Praetorian Guard, who tortured and killed them in Rome on 29 July AD 238. But before that happened, Pupienus had successful gone to war against Maximinus in Northern Italy, and defeated him in late April. They were replaced by Gordian III, though only aged 13 only, who was the grandson of Gordian I and nephew of Gordian II. This reverse legend PAX PVBLICA, the peace for the public, was especially meaningful in those troubled times.
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