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CNG Keystone Auction 1: Part I of the Style Collection

Lot nuber 43

Maximinus I. AD 235-238. AR Denarius (19.5mm, 3.29 g, 6h). Rome mint. 2nd emission, AD 236.


CNG Keystone Auction 1: Part I of the Style Collection
Lot: 43.
 Estimated: $ 150

Roman Imperial, Silver

Sold For $ 150. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Maximinus I. AD 235-238. AR Denarius (19.5mm, 3.29 g, 6h). Rome mint. 2nd emission, AD 236. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Salus seated left, feeding from patera serpent rising from altar, resting arm on chair. RIC IV 14; BMCRE 99; RSC 85a. Light toning over residual luster. EF. With a terrific portrait of the third type.

From the Style Collection.

Portraits of the soldier-emperor Maximinus I “Thrax” come in three variations: An early portrait clearly modeled on that of his predecessor Severus Alexander, and intermediate portrait closely resembling surviving marble busts of the ruler, and a third, highly exaggerated type that depicts him as a hulking, brutish giant. This denarius represents the last type, showing Maximinus with a squarish head, blade-like nose and lantern chin. The stylized portrait occurs in all three metals struck at the Rome mint (the gold being especially rare). Whether this is the image Maximinus wanted to project of himself, or whether some official at the Rome mint chose to depict him this way (perhaps to start swaying popular opinion against him?), we cannot but speculate.

Closing Date and Time: 20 November 2019 at 10:14:00 ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website, 22.50% for all others.