Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[Jims,Coins]

Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of MAXIMINUS I between c. March 235 - January 236 A.D. Obv. IMP.MAXIMINVS.PIVS.AVG.: bust r., laur., dr., cuirassed. Rev. PROVIDENTIA.AVG.: Providentia stg. l., holding wand over globe and cornucopia. RCS #2345. RSCIII #77. RICIV #13. DVM #9.

 

[DonnaML]

I don't have much for Max Thrax or his family -- and nothing for Paulina -- but I do like these two portraits showing his chin as something you could use as a sledgehammer

Maximinus I Thrax AR Denarius, 236-238 AD. Obv. Laureate bust right, draped & cuirassed, MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM/ Rev. Fides stdg., facing, head left, holding standard in each hand, FIDES MILITVM. RIC IV-2 18A, RSC III 9, Sear RCV III 8307.  20 mm., 2.77 g.

Maximinus I Thrax, AE Sestertius, 236-238 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM / Rev. Salus seated left, holding patera with outstretched right hand and using it to feed a serpent rising from an altar; resting left arm on side of chair, SALVS AVGVSTI; S C in exergue. RIC IV 85, BMCRE 175-176, Cohen 92, Sear RCV III 8338 (ill.). 31 mm., 17.58 g., 12 h.

Maximus Caesar (son of Maximinus I) AR Denarius, 235-38 AD. Obv. Draped bust right, IVL VERVS MAXIMVS CAES / Rev. Sacrificial implements: lituus [curved augural staff], knife, jug, simpulum [ladle] & sprinkler, PIETAS AVG. RIC IV-2 1, RSC III 1, Sear RCV III 8404, BMCRE 118. 19 mm., 1.7 g.

One of these days, I'll have to replace this low-resolution FSR photo of Maximus:

 

Edited February 14, 2023 by DonnaML

[Shea19]

One of my favorite Roman portraits:

Maximinus I (Thrax), AR Denarius (20 mm, 3.04 g), Rome, 236-237. MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximinus I to right/ Rev. VICTORIA GERM Victory standing front, head to left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond with her left; German captive at feet. RIC 23

An early Max Thrax denarius with a resemblance to Sev Alexander (made before they knew what the new emperor looked like):

Maximinus I, AR Denarius, Rome, 236 A.D., (20 mm, 2.90 g). IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximinus I to right, seen from behind. Rev. SALVS AVGVSTI Salus seated left, feeding serpent, rising from altar, out of patera held in her right hand and leaning with her left elbow on throne.  RIC 15.

[Octavius]

 Sestertii of Maximinus Thrax, followed by sestertius of his son, Maximus.

[Octavius]

 Denarii of Max Thrax...

[Severus Alexander]

Wow, lots of good portraits of this brute who murdered me! 😫

An early portrait, looking surprised (no, you don't fool me Max! you set it all up):

And a late, chinny one:

The son:

And again in middle bronze:

Style-wise I probably like this last portrait the best of all four... though of course all the chinny ones of Max Thrax are fun!

[mc9]

My favorite silver coins from Maximinus and Maximus:

Maximinus :

IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG : Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximinus to right

SALVS AVGVSTI : Salus seated left, feeding serpent rising from altar.

Denarius, Rome, A.D.235-236, RIC IVb 14

Maximus :

IVL VERVS MAXIMVS CAES : bareheaded, draped bust of Maximus right, seen from behind

PIETAS AVG : lituus, secespita, oinochoe, simpulum and aspergillum, from left to right.

Denarius, Rome, AD 235-AD 236, . RIC IV.II 1 RIC IVb 1

[mc9]

Here are my Sestertius and As coins from Maximinus and Maximus :

Maximinus : RIC IVb : 40 , Sestertius

RIC IVb : 64 , Sestertius

Maximus :

RIC IVb : 13 , Sestertius

RIC IVb : 6 , Sestertius

RIC IVb : 12 , As

 

Edited February 14, 2023 by mc9

[shanxi]

Maximinus Thrax

Maximinus Thrax
Æ-Sestertius, Rome Mint
Obv.: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: SALVS A[VGV]ST[I] / SC, Salus seated left, feeding serpent rising from altar.
Æ, 16.07g, 28.8mm
Ref.: RIC 64

[shanxi]

Maximus Caesar

Maximus Caesar
Kilikia, Coropissus
AE28
Obv.: Γ Ι ΟΥΗ ΜΑΞΙΜΟΝ ΚƐϹΑΡΑ (sic), radiate and draped bust of Maximus, r.
Rev.: ΚΟΡΟΠΙϹϹƐΩΝ ΤΗϹ ΚΗΤΩΝ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛƐΩϹ, front view of distyle temple, within which turreted Tyche of the City seated on rock, l., in pediment, wreath
AE, 11.99g, 28 mm.
Ref.: RPC VI, 6926 (temporary), SNG France 773, Levante 591

[Limes]

I'm nearing the end of my collection. Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus 'the Tracian' is one of the few 'barack emperors' I have. An interesting figure nevertheless, since he was the first of many soldier emperors to be hailed as emperor by their own legions, in a time when the Roman empire already was in decay. After his short reign, the Senate briefly attempted to regain control, but ultimately failed. When it comes to this 'category', my collection contains a sestertius of Philip I, and one antoninianus of Probus, which although struck some 40 years after Maximinus Thrax, contains little silver and which, one could say, also represents the (sad) artistical decline of the empire. 

Anyway, I'll be sure to follow this thread, and am looking forward to everyone posting their Gordians I's and II's 😁😉

[Ursus]

My three coins of Maximinus Thrax:

Maximinus Thrax, Roman Empire, denarius, 235–236 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, bust of Maximinus Thrax, draped and laureate, r. Rev: FIDES MILITVM, Fides, draped, standing front, head l., holding military standard in each hand. 2.49g. Ref: RIC IV.2 Maximinus Thrax 7A.

 

Maximinus Thrax, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 235–236 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG; bust of Maximinus I, laureate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: PAX AVGVSTI; Pax, draped, standing l., holding branch in extended r. hand and transverse sceptre in l. hand. 21mm, 2.78g. Ref: RIC IV Maximinus Thrax 12 (denarius).

 

Maximinus Thrax, Roman Empire, denarius, 236–238 AD, Rome mint. Obv: MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM, bust of Maximinus Thrax, draped and laureate, r. Rev: PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia standing l., holding wand pointing at globe in r. hand and cornucopia in l. 20.4mm, 3.5g. Ref: RIC IV.2 Maximinus Thrax 20.

[Spaniard]

My favourite ...It now has some really nice toning..

Maximinus I Denarius. AD 235-238...3.18gr
Obverse..IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, draped bust right.
Reverse..FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing left, a standard in each hand.
RIC 7A Minted AD 235-236

[ambr0zie]

My favorite Thrax portrait 

Maximinus I Thrax AD 235-238. Rome

Denarius AR

21 mm, 2,38 g.

AD 236

MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM, bust of Maximinus I, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right / P M TR P II COS P P, Maximinus Thrax, in military attire, standing left between two standards, raising right hand and leaning to left on spear held in left hand

RIC IV Maximinus Thrax 4; RSC 56

[Prieure de Sion]

 

Perfect. Let's move on to @Severus Alexander favorite emperor. 

 

 

However, I only have three portraits on coins here, which I really favor in my collection so far. The first portrait is, I think, the typical Maximinus Thrax portrait. The face is rather flat, the chin protruding.

 

Gaius Iulius Verus Maximinus I Thrax
Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 235/236 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 2.99g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Maximinus Thrax 7a; Obverse: Bust of Maximinus I Thrax, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right. The inscription reads: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG for Imperator Maximinus Pius Augustus; Reverse: Fides, draped, standing front, head left, holding military standard in each hand. The inscription reads: FIDES MILITVM for Fides Militum (Loyalty of the soldiers).

 

Number two - the chin still protrudes, but the face is a bit more plastic, not so flat and idealized.

 

Gaius Iulius Verus Maximinus I Thrax
Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 235/236 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19.7mm; Weight: 2.90g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Maximinus Thrax 16; Obverse: Bust of Maximinus I Thrax, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right. The inscription reads: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG for Imperator Maximinus Pius Augustus; Reverse: Victory, winged, draped, advancing right, holding wreath in extended right hand and palm in left hand. The inscription reads: VICTORIA AVG for Victoria Augusti (Victory of the Augustus).

 

Number three - the chin is still advanced, but rather only slightly - the face much more natural, plastic and athletic. In general, it now seems more acceptable and friendly. The emperor was probably concerned about the (optical) opinion of the citizens. And he also got a small hooked nose.

 

Gaius Iulius Verus Maximinus I Thrax
Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 235/236 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19.6mm; Weight: 2.83g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Maximinus Thrax 14; Obverse: Bust of Maximinus I Thrax, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right. The inscription reads: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG for Imperator Maximinus Pius Augustus; Reverse: Salus, draped, seated left, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar. The inscription reads: SALVS AVGVSTI for Salus Augusti (Health of the Augustus).

 

 

[LONGINUS]

Great post!

 

[John Conduitt]

Maximinus I Thrax Denarius, 235-238

Rome. Silver, 18-20mm, 1.51g. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG. Pax standing half-left holding branch and transverse sceptre; PAX AVGVSTI (RIC IV.2, 12). Found Peterborough.

[kapphnwn]

Maximinus Thrax Ar Denarius 235-236 AD Obv Bust right laureate draped and cuirassed seen from back. Rv Salus seated left feeding snake which is rising from altar. RIC 14 3.22 grms 20 mm Photo by W. Hansen

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Maximinus Pius Avg / FIDES MILITVM

 

 

 

[Julius Germanicus]

 

MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM - laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximinus right
VICTORIA GERMANICA S C - Maximinus, in military attire, standing left, his right hand raised, holding spear in left, German captive seated left at his feet, looking back, emperor crowned by Victory standing left behind him, also holding palm.
Sestertius, Rome ca. September-December 236
32,34 mm / 21,64 gr
RIC VI 93; BMCRE 198 and pl. 40; Cohen 114; MIR 26-5; Sear 8342; Banti 33

DIVA PAVLINA - Veiled and draped bust of Paulina right
CONSECRATIO S C - Paulina, raising hand and holding scepter, seated l. on peacock flying upward upward to right.
Sestertius, Rome ca. September-December 236.
31,9 mm / 23.46 gr
RIC IV 3 and plate XI (same dies); BMCRE 132; Cohen 3; MIR 38d-5; Sear 8401; Banti 1 (same dies)

 

MAXIMVS CAES GERM - bare-headed and draped bust of Maximus right
PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS S C - Maximus, in military attire, standing left, holding rod pointing downwards in right hand and transverse spear in left, two standards behind.
Sestertius, Rome September 236 – April 238 aD
32,13 mm / 20,36 gr
RIC IV 13; BMCRE 213; Cohen 14; MIR 37-5; Sear 8411; Banti 6
 

[ominus1]

Max Thrax & Son sestertii...1st contenders in that cursed 'Year of the Six Emperors"..

[Qcumbor]

My best choices for the Maximinus Thrax family would be the wife and the son

Q

[Romancollector]

AE Sestertii of Maximinus I and his son, Maximus

[AussieCollector]

On 1/3/2023 at 7:57 AM, CPK said:

I hope everyone is doing well this second day of the year 2023.

One of the things I look for most in a coin - especially Roman Imperial - is a nice portrait. To look at a centuries-old coin and see the realistic and individualized likenesses of historic figures such as Augustus, Nero, Titus, Hadrian, and others is, for me, one of the great things about ancient coin collecting. Even portrait coins of the later Empire, despite the decline in realism and artistry, can be impressive.

The fact that all these coins were struck by hand with hand-engraved dies, each with slight variations in type, style, and execution, brings even more fascination and color into the hobby. Each coin represents the artistic abilities of the engraver. Some were clearly masters of the art, engraving beautiful portraits of enduring magnificence. Others seem to have been cartoonists who took up die-engraving as a side hustle. Finding a portrait coin of that "fine style" - a term impossible to define but intuitively recognized - gives great satisfaction. 

I know many of you feel the same way - I have seen so many amazing portrait coins posted here! 

SO...I thought it would be fun to start an on-going, chronological "Portrait Gallery" of Roman emperors, starting with Augustus. The rules for posting are as follows:

1. Each emperor will have a 48-hour window for posting.

2. The idea is to post your best/favorite portrait coin(s) of that emperor, with a short explanation for why you selected it.

3. Portraits of associated empresses, Caesars, etc. are also welcome!

4. Don't be intimidated if your "best" is not as good as others - the important thing is to post what appeals to you about the portrait. Not all great portraits need to be "mint state". (Goodness knows mine aren't!)

********************

To start things off, here is one of my favorite portrait coins of the first emperor. Despite being a provincial mint, Antioch (IMO) consistently produced some of the finest and most artistic portraits of the entire Empire. 

The very fine and sensitive features, and the idealized form of this portrait reminds me almost of round sculpture. I also see in the shape and presentation of the bust the influence of the earlier Seleucid portraits - the slight upward gaze and naturally flowing hairlines.

For the next 48 hours - post your Augustus Portraits! Can't wait to see what you all have! 😉

 

 

A question, what happens when thr Empire splits, and when the WRE falls?

[CPK]

29 minutes ago, AussieCollector said:

A question, what happens when thr Empire splits, and when the WRE falls?

I was thinking to take the time to do each of the Secessionist Empires (Gallic, Palmyrene, and later Britannic under Carausius) in roughly the chronological order in which they arose. As for the East/West split, since my idea was to follow a chronological timeline I would say we'd try to keep with that theme - maybe posting a couple different rulers at a time, as long as it wouldn't be too cumbersome.

Someone suggested we continue after the traditionally dated fall of the Western Roman Empire, into the Byzantine Empire. Since that would technically be considered a different "Empire", maybe a new Portrait Gallery topic would be called for (although, Byzantine coinage is not particularly noted for great portraiture!)