Lot 4815

Description

Balbinus, (A.D. 238), silver antoninianus, Rome mint, second emission, issued A.D. 238, (4.36 g), obv. radiate bust of Balbinus to right, around IMP CAES D CAEL BALBINVS AVG, rev. clasped hands, around PIETAS MVTVA AVGG, clasped hands, (S.8486, RIC 12, BMC 74-6, RSC 17). Toned, extremely fine with trace of mint bloom, rare.

Ex Dr. V.J.A. Flynn Collection and previously from Noble Numismatics Sale 106 (lot 4155) and the Demetrios Armounta Collection.
Pupienus and Balbinus reintroduced the double denarius or antoninianus denomination, which had been discontinued by Elagabalus two decades earlier. Whatever their motives in so doing, this proved to be an act of momentous consequence, for the new coin rapidly drove out of circulation the silver denarius, which had been the mainstay of the currency system for the past 450 years. The issue of antoniniani by both rulers concentrated exclusively on the theme of harmony between the Augusti, an expression of hope rather than a commemoration of the true state of affairs.