Pre-Long Beach Auction #90

Pupienus. Silver Antoninianus (4.28 g), AD 238. Rome. IMP CAES PVPIEN MAXIMVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Pupienus right. Reverse: CARITAS MVTVA AVGG, clasped hands. RIC 10b; BMC 87-91; RSC 3. Extremely Fine.

After the death of the Gordiani, the Senate nominated two of their own, Balbinus and Pupienus, as joint emperors to oppose Maximinus I who was then quickly marching towards Italy at the head of his legions from the Balkans. Pupienus had risen through the ranks of the military before becoming a senator and was thus the natural choice to lead the defense in northern Italy, while Balbinus stayed behind in Rome to shore up support there. When Maximinus' troops arrived before Aquileia, lack of provisions caused them to mutiny. They murdered the emperor and his son and paraded their disembodied heads on lances which they carried to Rome.

Although Maximinus was now out of the way, the city of Rome remained in a state of turmoil. The joint emperors, being wealthy patricians, were not well liked by the inhabitants who forced the Senate to nominate as Caesar the grandson and nephew of the Gordiani, Gordian III. Despite this attempt at appeasement, however, the people were in open revolt. Fire had been set to the city, causing much devastation and making many homeless. To make matters worse, the co-emperors were mutually suspicious of one another. In the ensuing disorder, the Praetorian Guard broke into the palace and murdered both emperors, elevating the young Gordian III as the new emperor.
Estimated Value $700 - 800.