Maximinus Thrax - Sestertius

[Tejas]

I just bought this sestertius, partly out of frustration. I was watching a very nice Maximinus Sestertius in an auction with a reserve price of EUR 200, which is currently bit up to a rediculous EUR 1700 (and rising I suppose). So I set myself the task of finding a nice sestertius at a fraction of that price and this is what I came up with on a fixed price site.

Maximinus I (235-238). Sestertius (31mm, 24.25g, 1h). Rome, AD 236. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. R/ Mars standing l., placing r. foot on helmet, holding branch and spear. RIC IV 55.  

While the quality of the coin is not quite at par with the one that is currently running at EUR 1700, I think this one has a better portrait and a more interesting (and perhaps scarcer) reverse (the other one is a PAX AVGVSTI). But as I said, the big difference is the price. Mine was just a fraction of the 1700.

Edited September 2, 2023 by Tejas

[Qcumbor]

Beautiful. I believe you won't regret the other one as soon as this one is in your hands

Q

[expat]

Beautiful coin, a great choice you will enjoy greatly when you get it in hand.

[John Conduitt]

The other coin is immaculate. Hopefully not interfered with. But yours is definitely better than spending EUR1800 + fees.

[Roman Collector]

Gorgeous specimen, @Tejas!! A more interesting reverse type than that PAX AVGVSTI one, too. Here's my Max Thrax sestertius. Considerably less expensive than two large, too.

 

[ominus1]

..that's quite a nice one Tejas..an early one too (w/o the protruding lower jaw)

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Maximinus I (235-238). Æ Sestertius (31mm, 23.72g, 12h). Rome, 236-7. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. R/ Fides standing l., holding signum in each hand. RIC IV 78. aVF

Here's mine. It cost $133 (last year and has a lovely olive patina.

Your alternate is nice, Tejas.  The original is also nifty.

[Tejas]

19 hours ago, John Conduitt said:

The other coin is immaculate. Hopefully not interfered with. But yours is definitely better than spending EUR1800 + fees.

This is indeed the “other” coin 🙂 I was prepared to bid quite high, but the current price seems excessive to me. 

[Limes]

20 hours ago, Tejas said:

I just bought this sestertius, partly out of frustration. I was watching a very nice Maximinus Sestertius in an auction with a reserve price of EUR 200, which is currently bit up to a rediculous EUR 1700 (and rising I suppose). So I set myself the task of finding a nice sestertius at a fraction of that price and this is what I came up with on a fixed price site.

Maximinus I (235-238). Sestertius (31mm, 24.25g, 1h). Rome, AD 236. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. R/ Mars standing l., placing r. foot on helmet, holding branch and spear. RIC IV 55.  

While the quality of the coin is not quite at par with the one that is currently running at EUR 1700, I think this one has a better portrait and a more interesting (and perhaps scarcer) reverse (the other one is a PAX AVGVSTI). But as I said, the big difference is the price. Mine was just a fraction of the 1700.

Help me out here. Why is the other coin that expensive? I think it has eye appeal, but Im a bit sceptical about the surfaces. Looks a bit smoothed. Also there is a spot that looks like inactive corrosion on the obverse, at 6 clock. Both obverse and reverse are slightly double struck. Nevertheless, overall a nice coin, but imho not worth 1700 or up. 

I really like your coin, the portrait is very subtle and interesting, and different from many of his other portraits with the big chin. I think you made a very good frustrated purchase! 

[Tejas]

I think the PAX AVGVSTI-sestertius has been cleaned and repatinated, which is not unusual. The surfaces of my sestertius look rather untouched to me, or any cleaning that was done seems to have been rather light and superficial.

Edited September 3, 2023 by Tejas