The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

The year 238 AD was a particularly tough one for Roman Emperors. It started off with Maximinus Thrax wearing the purple. Maximinus focused on campaigning against Rome’s enemies and kept his troops contented, i.e., well paid, at the consequence of increased taxation, which, not surprisingly, caused his popularity to plummet otherwise. The situation led to a revolt in the Africa province, during which Gordian I, and his son Gordian II, were proclaimed co-Augusti. The Senate confirmed the appointments; Maximinus, begging to differ, collected his troops from the eastern front and marched to Rome Within weeks, the African rebellion was quashed and the Gordians were dead. Maximinus was still headed to Rome, which meant serious trouble for the Senate who had betrayed him. To organize a defense, twenty leading Senators formed a committee. Among this group, two were chosen and confirmed as the next co-Augusti: Pupienus and Balbinus (165? – 238 AD). Why these two particular men (both at least in their late sixties) earned the throne is not certain, although both had experience in civil and military leadership. Perhaps they actively sought power, or perhaps they drew short straws (being Emperor was risky business, as evidenced by the Gordians). Prior to his ascension, Balbinus was already an established politician, having previously held numerous high offices, including two times as Consul, one of which he shared with Augustus Caracalla. He was reportedly a great orator and poet. Even so, Balbinus and Pupienus were not particularly well received as the new leaders of Rome. To improve their image and promote calm, Balbinus and Pupienus named Gordian I’s young grandson as heir (their Caesar). Having nominated the young Gordian III, the reign of Balbinus and Pupienus might now be viewed more favorably, in the context of a guardianship. More importantly, with the Gordian’s family wealth added to the imperial coffers, the co-Augusti distributed a cash bonus to the Roman population. None of this mattered to Maximinus, who kept coming the Senate’s way. Balbinus was deemed more suited to stay and focus governing in Rome, while Pupienus marched out to meet the approaching enemy Augustus. The atmosphere in Rome was tense, and Balbinus had a rough time of it, with riots and fires erupting within the city. It was fortunate when Pupienus returned with the some good news: the threat of Maximinus was eliminated, the third Augusti slain in 238 AD. Like any Emperors trying to drum up support, Balbinus and Pupienus produced coins to advertise their status and promote the accomplishments. Since their reign was very short lived - a mere three months – coins for these two Augusti are rather scarce. The current coin is an example Balbinus denarius. The obverse is an artistic depiction of Balbinus as Augustus (this coin received a Fine Style designation by NGC Ancients), in traditional laureate, draped, and cuirassed style. On the reverse stands Victory, holding a wreath and a palm branch, with the epithet VICTORIA AVGG (note the double G to indicate there were two co-Augusti). The victory advertised here presumably is the one over Maximinus. For a (very short) time, things remained calm in Rome as everyone soaked in this victory. However, Balbinus felt threatened by his colleague’s success, not to mention the new bodyguards he brought with him back to Rome. The latter, mostly soldiers of the German legions previously loyal to Maximinus, also provoked the Preatorian Guard, who viewed them as a threat to their traditional role as the Emperor’s protectorate. Indeed, Pupienus made the case that the new bodyguards should be employed more widely as a precaution against the praetorians. Balbinus resisted, suspicious of his co-Augustus’ designs to have him disposed. While the two were arguing, the praetorians stormed their meeting, seized the pair, and executed them before anyone could come to their aid. The deed marked a new and inglorious record of five Emperors slain within a year – only about six months, actually – and Gordian III became the sixth person to rule the Roman Empire in 238 AD. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Balbinus, 238 AD, AR Denarius (21 mm, 3.6 g), NGC Grade: Ch AU , Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG, Victory standing facing, holding her wreath and palm branch, VICTORIA AVGG, References: RIC 8; RSC 27; BMC 37.

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