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Abydos, Maximinus Thrax, bronze coin — Nude hero Abydos standing left (CN type 3514)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 235–238

Issuing entity

Troas

Coin in bronze struck at Abydos in Troas under Maximinus Thrax, dated AD 235–238. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 3514 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Maximinus Thrax, right, wearing paludamentum. Border of dots. Legend: ΑV Γ ΙΟV ΟVΗ ΜΑΞΙΜЄΝΟϹ (sic). Reverse: Nude hero Abydos standing left, holding cloak and spear in his left hand; in front of him, cow left, looking back, suckling calf; in the background, tree and prow. Border of dots. Legend: ΑΒVΔΟϹ ΑΒVΔΗΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 21.19 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 35–36 mm (from 1 recorded specimen).

Published references cited by the corpus: Imhoof-Blumer, Griechische Münzen, 1890, p. 622, nr. 204; Calomino, RPC VI: Roman Provincial Coinage. Vol. VI: From Elagabalus to Maximinus Thrax (AD 218–238). online, nr. 3931; Linked type corpus, RPC VI, 3931.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
3

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Abydos was an ancient city in Mysia located on the Asian coast of the Hellespont, positioned at the narrowest point of the straits as a vital crossing between Europe and Asia. Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus, known as Maximinus Thrax, was Roman emperor from 235 to 238, having been proclaimed by the Pannonian army after the assassination of Severus Alexander. His elevation began the Crisis of the Third Century, ending in 238 during the Year of the Six Emperors when he was assassinated by troops at Aquileia.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
35–36 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
21.19 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Abydos
Region
Troas
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Maximinus Thrax

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of Maximinus Thrax, right, wearing paludamentum. Border of dots.
Reverse type
Nude hero Abydos standing left, holding cloak and spear in his left hand; in front of him, cow left, looking back, suckling calf; in the background, tree and prow. Border of dots.
Obverse legend
ΑV Γ ΙΟV ΟVΗ ΜΑΞΙΜЄΝΟϹ (sic)
Reverse legend
ΑΒVΔΟϹ ΑΒVΔΗΝ

Identification

Period
Roman Imperial Period
How to identify
Check the mint name or ethnic, the reverse type and the legend together, then compare weight and module; types from the same mint often differ only in legend arrangement, magistrate names or control marks.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/3514
Type corpus identifier
CN type 3514

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Recorded
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

Research required

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