Pupienus Silver Antoninianus, RIC IV Pupienus 10B

Monetary Context and the Revival of the Antoninianus

The year AD 238, known as the Year of the Six Emperors, generated profound fiscal stress across the Roman monetary system. Following the rapid deaths of Gordian I and Gordian II in the province of Africa, the Roman Senate elevated Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus and Decimus Caelius Calvinus Balbinus to supreme imperial power. The newly appointed emperors faced immediate threats from Maximinus Thrax, who marched on Italy from the Danubian frontier, necessitating substantial donatives to ensure the loyalty of the Praetorian Guard and provincial legions. To meet these pressing liquidity requirements, the senatorial administration revived the radiate denomination known as the antoninianus, which had lapsed from regular production under Severus Alexander and was entirely absent under Maximinus Thrax. Reintroducing the radiate double denarius permitted the mint to produce a high nominal-value coin containing less intrinsic silver than two individual denarii, effectively functioning as an emergency token that improved treasury cash flow while supporting extensive military expenditure.

Production Standards and Mint Attribution

All specimens of RIC IV Pupienus 10B were produced exclusively at the single operational imperial mint in Rome. The metropolitan facility operated multiple officinae organized to produce parallel issues for both Pupienus and Balbinus, and soon afterward for the youthful Gordian III Caesar. Production adhered to a weight standard typically clustering between 2.80 and 3.30 grams, with individual specimens fluctuating according to minting tolerances and flan preparation practices. Numismatic metallurgical surveys indicate an average fineness hovering around forty to forty-eight percent silver, with the alloy filled primarily with copper. Dies were engraved in the distinct, expressive veristic style characteristic of the senatorial revival in Rome, rendering bold features, heavy facial structure, and detailed armor textures across high-relief striking surfaces.

Obverse Iconography and Imperial Portraiture

The obverse of RIC IV Pupienus 10B displays a right-facing bust of Pupienus wearing a radiate crown, draped, and cuirassed. The radiate crown serves as the primary numismatic signifier of the double denarius denomination, distinguishing it visually from the laureate bust of the standard denarius. In contrast to the idealized or youthful depictions seen in later third-century portraiture, the engraving reflects a pronounced verism. Pupienus is shown as a mature, stern military commander and senatorial statesman, featuring a full, cropped beard, a furrowed brow, a prominent nose, and deeply lined facial features. The inclusion of the cuirass beneath the drapery emphasizes his role as the active military leader who departed Rome to confront the forces of Maximinus, while Balbinus remained behind to manage civic governance.

Reverse Iconography: Clasped Hands and Mutual Affection

The reverse design consists of two clasped right hands, known classically as the dextrarum iunctio. This ancient Roman gesture served as a venerable iconographic symbol of pledge, fidelity, and harmonious alliance. In the specific context of RIC IV Pupienus 10B, the hands explicitly embody the mutual affection and cooperative spirit celebrated in the legend. While the motif had appeared previously on imperial and civil war coinages to denote harmony between the army and the emperor or between co-rulers, its employment under Pupienus and Balbinus addressed a palpable political vulnerability. Ancient historians recorded deep personal antipathy and mutual suspicion between the aristocratic Balbinus and the soldierly Pupienus. The reverse design functioned as ideological propaganda intended to reassure the Roman populace, the Senate, and the military factions that absolute collegiality prevailed at the pinnacle of the state.

Epigraphy and Legend Analysis

The obverse inscription reads IMP CAES CLOD PVPIEN MAXIMVS AVG, expanding to Imperator Caesar Clodius Pupienus Maximus Augustus. This legend asserts the full constitutional and military titles voted to Pupienus by the Senate, employing standard imperial abbreviations. The reverse legend is inscribed as CARITAS MVTVA AVGG, expanding to Caritas Mutua Augustorum. The double 'G' at the conclusion of AVGG is an epigraphic convention designating the plural Augusti, emphasizing the joint, equal nature of their imperial status. The phrase 'Caritas Mutua' represents a rare numismatic formula, emphasizing fraternal charity and cordial affection rather than the more commonplace 'Concordia Augustorum' or 'Fides Mutua', underscoring an intensely personalized bond between the twin rulers.

Typology and Internal Chronology

Within the typology established in Roman Imperial Coinage, RIC IV Pupienus 10B is distinguished from closely related varieties by bust attributes. Whereas RIC IV Pupienus 10A features a radiate bust that is draped only, type 10B combines both drapery and a cuirass. A complementary series of issues bearing identical reverse iconography and legends was struck concurrently for Balbinus (RIC IV Balbinus 10 and 11), ensuring parity between the co-rulers. Chronologically, this type belongs to the middle and later stages of their brief ninety-nine-day reign in AD 238, likely struck between May and July. As military tension escalated between the imperial factions and the Praetorian Guard, emissions emphasizing mutuality and harmony became increasingly vital elements of the mint's output until both emperors were assassinated in late July AD 238.

Circulation Patterns and Hoard Evidence

Despite a production window lasting only approximately three months, the revived antoniniani of AD 238 were issued in significant volume. Specimens of RIC IV Pupienus 10B circulated widely across both western and eastern provinces, appearing consistently in major third-century coin hoards throughout Britain, Gaul, Italy, and the Danube region. Because subsequent emissions under Gordian III and his successors witnessed rapid debasement in both weight and silver purity, these AD 238 antoniniani were subject to hoarding pursuant to Gresham's law. Consequently, numerous examples survived in high grades of preservation within savings hoards buried during the chaotic decades of the mid-to-late third century.

References

1. The Silver Coinage of the Reign of Pupienus and Balbinus. pp. 63-78
2. La politique monétaire des empereurs romains de 238 à 311. pp. 13-45
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC IV Pupienus 10B. ric.4.pup.10B
4. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume IV, Part II: Macrinus to Pupienus. pp. 174-175, no. 10(b)