FELICITAS TEMPORVM


Reference : AYC #12, RIC -
Weight: 2.82 grs
Metal: Silver
Diameter: 21.00 mm
Scarcity: Extremely rare
Type:

Obverse

Reverse

IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG

Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Pupienus right, seen from three quarters back. 

FELICI - TAS TEMPORVM

Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus with the right hand and a scepter with the left hand.

Photo of a coin sold the 26/09/2012 by Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 287, lot 453, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1365401, link to their website: https://www.cngcoins.com/.

As Classical Numismatic Group points out, we usually find this type with felicitas with the legend P M TR P COS II P P. Coin not listed in the works.

I observe that on most of Pupienus' coins the cuirass is almost invisible and the shoulder appears smooth. Although I have listed a variant with a non-cuirassed bust for other emperors from the same period, this bust of Pupienus seems to be cuirassed. We see streaks indicating a cuirass in the lower shoulder or at least an irregular lower shoulder showing a desire to display a cuirass. Here is an example:

 On this photo the streaks are visible at the bottom of the shoulder. 

However, we cannot exclude that only draped busts exist. So far, I haven't noticed an example where the shoulder is undoubtedly smooth.