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Orbis Collectibles

RIC IV Pupienus 23A

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC IV Pupienus 23A. 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 victory, winged, draped, standing front, head left, holding wreath in right hand and palm with drapery in left hand, with the legend VICTORIA AVGG 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, official coinage minted at Rome carried his second nomen Pupienus. Knowledge regarding this emperor remains limited because surviving historical sources for the brief period of his reign are scant.

This bronze sestertius was produced at the mint of Rome during the joint reign of Pupienus and Balbinus. In the Roman monetary system, the sestertius represented a denomination valued at one quarter of a denarius, or two and a half asses, providing a standard unit useful for general commerce. The coin's obverse bears the portrait of the ruler with the legend "IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG". The reverse depicts a winged Victory holding a wreath and palm branch, accompanied by the inscription "VICTORIA AVGG S C".

Physical characteristics

Material
Bronze
Denomination
Sestertius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Pupienus

Design

Obverse
Bust of Pupienus, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right
Reverse
Victory, winged, draped, standing front, head left, holding wreath in right hand and palm with drapery in left hand
Obverse legend
IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG
Reverse legend
VICTORIA AVGG S C

Identification

Type reference
RIC IV Pupienus 23A
Denomination and metal
Sestertius, Bronze
Obverse legend to match
IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG
Reverse legend to match
VICTORIA AVGG 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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