Magnetes. Maximinus I. Lot of 2 coins.

Triton XV, Lot: 441. Estimate $100. Sold for $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Lot of 2 coins.

(441.1) THESSALY, Magnetes. Maximinus I. AD 235-238. Æ Triassarion (22.5mm, 7.61 g, 12h). ΓΑΙΟVΒΗΜΑΞΙΜЄΙΝΟC from lower l, up circular, draped bust of Maximinus r., border of dots / AΡΓΩΜΑΓИΗ below, from bottom r. to l., circular, ΤΩИ above , the ship Argo with rowers r., border of dots. Rogers 375, fig. 193 corr. and var. [Rogers, when describing his no. 375, referred to fig. 194 instead of the correct 193; the rev. legend differently placed]. Near Fine, rough, brassy surfaces and a large centring hole on the obverse.

The writer owes this rare coin to the kindness of a good friend of many years ago who recently ‘relinquished the pursuit’, sold his coins and collects perfume bottles. Now nobody can confiscate his collection and throw him into jail, not until Unesco decides that perfume bottles are part of our National Heritage anyway.

(441.2) THESSALY, Magnetes. Gordian III. AD 238-244. Æ Diassarion (23mm, 8.47 g, 6h). ΜΑΑΝ l. up, [Γ]ΟΡΔΙΑΝ[ΟC] r. down, laureate and draped bust of Gordianus r., border of dots / AΡΓΩΜΑΓ from lower l., r. circular, retrograde and inverted, [ΝΗΤΩΝ](?) above, the ship Argo with rowers, r., border of dots. Rogers 379, fig. 196 var. [rev. legend neither retrograde nor inverted]. Near Fine, rough brown patina with some surface marks; rev. partly flat struck; rare.

This coin, although the B on its reverse is not visible, is the same denomination as Rogers fig. 196 (as well as lots 442 and 443.1 below), all bearing the mark of value B (= two Assaria). Perhaps a change in the sizes of coins took place at that time and the two Assaria coins became bigger in size and weight (although the portrait size, the only parameter that regulates the value, remained more or less the same - see lot 440 above that also bears the B mark of value).