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 Replies: 9 / Views: 983 |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
I searched a good while for a large Maximinus with a portrait I felt accurately portrayed the man. Based on ancient busts of this emperor, I finally settled on the specimen below. Many coins depict Maximinus with somewhat exaggerated features. Especially his jaw and nose. The man was indeed larger-than-life. The 'Historia Augusta' lists his height as seven feet, ten inches...but this is surely as exaggerated as some of the portraits on his coins. This Thracian was known for his strength, and I feel the portrait on this coin speaks to that fact.  I encourage the Community to post "portraits" from their collections to these threads. These coins are, in my opinion, a form of art. So let's see what impresses and inspires you! |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
905 Posts |
it's been suggested for years that Maximinus had acromegaly; which can be shown in stages with his coinage.
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Valued Member
 United States
319 Posts |
Woww, Victor. I was unaware of that suggestion. This is certainly a possibility given the range of varying portrayals on his coinage. I wonder if anyone has studied that idea by tracking the changes depicted in his features on the mintings over the course of his reign. Fascinating!
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
That's a very nice example Mike!..Strong looking portrait. Quote:
it's been suggested for years that Maximinus had acromegaly ...Yes and although his height has been significantly exaggerated in the "historia Augusta", the historian Herodian a contemporary of Maximinus stated "He was in any case a man of such frightening appearance and colossal size that there is no obvious comparison to be drawn with any of the best-trained Greek athletes or warrior elite of the barbarians."......I think that now most modern day historians concur that he was BIG!.... Another interesting factor is that Maximinus never visited Rome throughout his reign... I do have a nicely detailed Denarius from early on 235/6AD. Maximinus I Denarius. AD 235-238...3.18gr Obverse..IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, draped bust right. Reverse..FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing left, a standard in each hand. RIC #7A Minted AD 235-236  As Victor said you can see a change of portrait through his coinage....Here's a snippet..  |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Paul, that is one sharp portrait on a tiny "canvass". The brow...cheekbone...hollow of the cheek...the EAR! True artistic craftsmanship. Thank you for the informative slideshow, demonstrating the way Maximinus' features changed throughout his reign...as evidenced by his coins. Lovin' it!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1168 Posts |
 Over a period of just a few years, and what would be the work of a few engravers, Maximinus is instantly recognisable in all four coins in Paul's composite image. The attention to detail is impressive. |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Alas...the role of Emperor: your head on a coin one minute...your head on a pole the next. When BOTH are be talked about 1800 years later, well...that's quite an achievement!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
905 Posts |
Mentioning head on a pole reminded me of this coin. Tooled in ancient times by someone who must have really disliked Maximinus-- his head is on a pole, a bird is scratching out his eyes and a worm is coming out the back of his head.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
2752 Posts |
Wow what an amazing coin!... The closest we'll get to a Polaroid!...Probably this person would have seen this actual event as it was paraded around Rome!
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Your right, Paul. Victor produced the goods for sure. That is an awesome piece of historic political graffiti right there. Awesome! Thank you, Victor!
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Replies: 9 / Views: 983 |
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Posted 02/19/2022 2:41 pm
