Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 106 9-10 May 2018
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Maximus caesar, late 235 – early 236. Sestertius early 236-April 238, Æ 25.42 g. MAXIMVS CAES GERM Draped bust r. Rev. PRINCIPI IVVENTVTVS S – C Maximus standing l. holding baton and sceptre; in r. field, two standards. C 14 var. (IVVENTVTIS). BMC Maximinus 213 var. (IVVENTVTIS). RIC 13 var. (IVVENTVTIS). M.-M. Bendenoun, Coins of the Ancient World, A Portrait of the JDL Collection, Tradart, Genève, 2009, 80 (this coin).
A lovely portrait and an enchanting untouched light green patina. Extremely fine
Ex Leu 48, 1989, 389; Tradart 1992, 221 and NAC 74, 2013, 317 sales.
Maximus enjoyed a most extraordinary childhood in Rome considering he was descended of mixed Gothic and Alan blood. His father, Maximinus I, was a towering and powerful man who for decades had caught the eye of emperors. The first was Septimius Severus, who saw him compete in a wrestling match in Thrace. Severus did much to promote Maximinus, as did Caracalla, Elagabalus and Severus Alexander. When the latter was murdered by mutinous soldiers on the German front in 235, Maximinus was hailed emperor by the troops, marking the first time a man had risen from the ranks to become a Roman emperor. Though a novelty at the time, such events were to become commonplace in this era of 'military anarchy.' His father's success in the army had brought Maximus into lofty social circles in Rome. Indeed, the young man had to delay his forthcoming marriage to Junia Fadilla, a descendant of Antoninus Pius, in order to join his father on the German front after his acclamation. Maximus, then about 20 years old, was raised to the rank of Caesar in 235 or 236. After serving at least two years at his father's side in army encampments, he was murdered near Aquileia, after which his severed head was delivered to Rome.
A lovely portrait and an enchanting untouched light green patina. Extremely fine
Ex Leu 48, 1989, 389; Tradart 1992, 221 and NAC 74, 2013, 317 sales.
Maximus enjoyed a most extraordinary childhood in Rome considering he was descended of mixed Gothic and Alan blood. His father, Maximinus I, was a towering and powerful man who for decades had caught the eye of emperors. The first was Septimius Severus, who saw him compete in a wrestling match in Thrace. Severus did much to promote Maximinus, as did Caracalla, Elagabalus and Severus Alexander. When the latter was murdered by mutinous soldiers on the German front in 235, Maximinus was hailed emperor by the troops, marking the first time a man had risen from the ranks to become a Roman emperor. Though a novelty at the time, such events were to become commonplace in this era of 'military anarchy.' His father's success in the army had brought Maximus into lofty social circles in Rome. Indeed, the young man had to delay his forthcoming marriage to Junia Fadilla, a descendant of Antoninus Pius, in order to join his father on the German front after his acclamation. Maximus, then about 20 years old, was raised to the rank of Caesar in 235 or 236. After serving at least two years at his father's side in army encampments, he was murdered near Aquileia, after which his severed head was delivered to Rome.