Pupienus

238 A.D.

One of the joint emperors along with Balbinus, Pupienus's short career as emperor began when the rebellion of the Gordiani in Northern Africa failed. The Senate fearful of the oncoming army of Maximinus hastily hailed both as the new Augusti. While Balbinus was left in charge of consolidating power in Rome, Pupienus led an army to meet Maximinus. Following good advice from his generals, Maximinus fell into a trap and his angry soldiers murdered him and pledged allegiance to the army of Pupienus. On his return, however, Pupienus was not received as a hero but rather as a puppet of the Senate. Add to this a deep mistrust of and by Balbinus that was evident to the Praetorian Guard and the whole issue was put to rest when the latter massacred both of them on the same day.

AR Antoninianus


RIC 9a, BMC 77, C 1 Antoninianus Obv: IMPCAESMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: AMORMVTVVSAVGG - Hands, in handshake.



RIC 10b, C 3 Antoninianus Obv: IMPCAESPVPIENMAXIMVSAVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: CARITASMVTVAAVG - Hands, in handshake. 238 (Rome). $650 9/24/03.



RIC 11b, C 21 Antoninianus Obv: IMPCAESPVPIENMAXIMVSAVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: PATRESSENATVS - Hands, in handshake.



RIC anecdotal, C 5 Antoninianus Obv: IMPCAESPVPIENMAXIMVSAVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIAAVGG - Hands, in handshake.


AR Denarius


RIC 1, BMC 42, C 6 Denarius Obv: IMPCMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIAAVGG - Concordia seated left, holding patera and cornucopia. April - June 238 (Rome). $647 2/18/02.



RIC 4, C 22 Denarius Obv: IMPCMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: PAXPVBLICA - Pax seated left, holding branch and scepter. 238 (Rome). $912 1/11/03.



RIC 5, C 29 Denarius Obv: IMPCMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: PMTRPCOSIIPP - Emperor standing, facing, holding branch and parazonium. April - June 238 (Rome).



RIC 6, C 26 Denarius Obv: IMPCAESMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: PMTRPCOSIIPP - Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and scepter. $480 5/21/03.


AE Sestertius


RIC 14, BMC 10, C 15 Sestertius Obv: IMPCAESMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: LIBERALITASAVGVSTORVM - Liberalitas standing left, holding coin counter and cornucopia. April - June 238 (Rome).



RIC 15, C 30 Sestertius Obv: IMPCAESMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: PMTRPCOSIIPP - Pupienus standing left, holding branch and scepter. April - June 238 (Rome).



RIC 17, C 34 Sestertius Obv: IMPCAESMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: PROVIDENTIADEORVM - Providentia standing left, holding wand over globe and cornucopia. April - June 238 (Rome).



RIC 20, BMC 43, C 7 Sestertius Obv: IMPCAESMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIAAVGG Exe: SC - Concordia seated left, holding patera and two cornucopiae. April - June 238 (Rome).



RIC 22a, BMC 48, C 23 Sestertius Obv: IMPCAESMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: PAXPVBLICA Exe: SC - Pax seated left, holding branch and scepter. April - June 238 (Rome).



RIC 23a, BMC 60, C 38 Sestertius Obv: IMPCAESMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIAAVGG - Victory standing, facing, holding wreath and palm.


AE Dupondius


RIC 19 Dupondius Obv: IMPCAESMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: No legend - VOTIS/DECENNA/LIBVS/SC within wreath. 238 (Rome). $560 5/21/03.



RIC 24, C 39 Dupondius Obv: IMPCAESMCLODPVPIENVSAVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIAAVGG - Victory standing, facing, holding wreath and palm. $7,586 11/20/00.