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Orbis Collectibles

RIC IV Pupienus 18

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC IV Pupienus 18. Denomination: Sestertius. Authority: Pupienus. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Pupienus, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right, with the legend IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG. The reverse shows legend in four lines within wreath, with the legend VOTIS DECENNALIBVS S C.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
3
Catalogue references
1

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

Historical context

Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus ruled as Roman emperor alongside Balbinus for 99 days in 238, during the Year of the Six Emperors. Although contemporary texts predominantly referred to him by his cognomen Maximus rather than Pupienus, surviving information regarding his brief reign remains limited due to scant historical sources from this period.

This bronze sestertius was struck at the mint of Rome. In the Roman Empire, the sestertius served as a large coin that had developed from an earlier denomination valued at two and a half asses, or one quarter of a denarius, which had been useful for commerce. The obverse bears the emperor's portrait and titles, reading "IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG", while the reverse encloses the inscription "VOTIS DECENNALIBVS S C" within a wreath.

Physical characteristics

Material
Bronze
Denomination
Sestertius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Pupienus

Design

Obverse
Bust of Pupienus, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right
Reverse
Legend in four lines within wreath
Obverse legend
IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG
Reverse legend
VOTIS DECENNALIBVS S C

Identification

Type reference
RIC IV Pupienus 18
Denomination and metal
Sestertius, Bronze
Obverse legend to match
IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG
Reverse legend to match
VOTIS DECENNALIBVS S C
Source note
Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
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

  • Editorial verification required.
  • Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
  • Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.
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