A Curious Hybrid Pupienus Denarius (+ other buys)

[Harry G]

Hi everyone!

I just bought a lot of 6 coins from an auction, and among them was this Pupienus denarius.

Pupienus Denarius - PAX AVGVSTI

Obverse: IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust facing right.

Reverse: PAX AVGVSTI - Pax standing left holding olive branch and transverse sceptre.

Rome mint

RIC ---

PAX AVGVSTI is not a reverse known for Pupienus (only PAX PVBLICA), but it was used by Maximinus Thrax a few years earlier (see comment).

Anyway, here are the other coins from the lot!

Trajan Denarius - S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI

Obverse: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TR P COS V DES VI - Laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder

Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI - Victory standing right, inscribing DA/CI/CA in three lines on shield set on palm.

Rome mint

RIC 234 (var.)

 

Philip I Antoninianus - P M TR P III COS P P

Obverse: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: P M TR P III COS P P - Felicitas standing left with caduceus and cornucopia.

Rome mint

RIC 3 

Perfect condition!

 

Elagabalus Antoninianus - P M TR P II COS II P P

Obverse: IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG - Radiate and draped bust to right.

Reverse: P M TR P II COS II P P - Roma seated left on throne, holding Victory in her right hand and long sceptre with her left; at her side, shield. 

Rome mint

RIC 12

 

Valerian I Antoninianus - PIETATI AVGG

Obverse: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right

Reverse: PIETATI AVGG - Pietas standing to left, leaning on column and holding sceptre.

Viminacium mint

RIC 219

 

Tetricus I Antoninianus - SALVS AVGG

Obverse: IMP C TETRICVS P F AVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Tetricus I to right.

Reverse: SALVS AVGG - Salus standing front, head to left, feeding serpent, rising from altar, out of patera with her right hand and holding rudder in her left.

Trier mint

Edited November 6, 2024 by Harry G

[Harry G]

Minor update

I've done some more research, and a "PAX AVGVSTI" type does exist! It's not in RIC, but the British Museum has a specimen, which they have fortunately uploaded on their website.

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_2004-1005-3

It's a metal detecting find, so it's definitely real. Unfortunately, it's very corroded, but is clearly a PAX AVGVSTI type

Comparing it to my coin:

1. Slightly higher "O" of "CLOD"
2. Die break visible at the top left corner of the M of "C M"
3. "Shadow" of a beard visible

The reverse of the BM coin is especially corroded, so I can't make out any distinguishing features there. However, it seems my coin is an obverse die match to a genuine example of the same type, so is real!

Edited November 6, 2024 by Harry G

[Ocatarinetabellatchitchix]

There are hybrids of Pupienus and Balbinus, also others which combines obverse of Gordy 1 and 2 with reverses of Balbinus and Pupienus. The BM coin is the only one I know associating Pupienus and Maximinus. Maybe imitation ? I’d be curious to see if you can find a die-match with an official issue of both rulers. Good luck !

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

The Pupienus could be heavily crystallized explaining its rough character. Also, I don't know why anyone would produce a fake in such a condition.

[JAZ Numismatics]

To me the fabric suggests a so-called limes denarius, probably mostly bronze.

[Harry G]

2 hours ago, Ocatarinetabellatchitchix said:

There are hybrids of Pupienus and Balbinus, also others which combines obverse of Gordy 1 and 2 with reverses of Balbinus and Pupienus. The BM coin is the only one I know associating Pupienus and Maximinus. Maybe imitation ? I’d be curious to see if you can find a die-match with an official issue of both rulers. Good luck !

I think I just found the matching die for the obverse!

The reverse of this other coin, VICTORIA AVGG, (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=1262&lot=305) is from an Aureus die, so there are two possibilities that I can think of.

1. My coin is a limes denarius struck from stolen/out of use dies
2. It's some kind of trial strike, or is similar to the VICTORIA AVGG coin

[CPK]

Interesting! It's a die match, all right.

[wuntbedruv]

17 hours ago, Harry G said:

I think I just found the matching die for the obverse!

The reverse of this other coin, VICTORIA AVGG, (https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=1262&lot=305) is from an Aureus die, so there are two possibilities that I can think of.

1. My coin is a limes denarius struck from stolen/out of use dies
2. It's some kind of trial strike, or is similar to the VICTORIA AVGG coin

I think you should publish your findings in an academic journal. An extremely interesting coin.