P M TR P COS II P P


Reference : AYC #15, RIC 5
Weight: 3.60 grs
Metal: Silver
Diameter: 20.00 mm
Scarcity: Very rare
Type:

Obverse

Reverse

IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG

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

P M TR P – COS II P P

The genius of the senate standing left, holding a branch with the right hand and a short scepter with the left hand.

Photo of a coin sold the 21/11/2020 by Nomos AG, Auction 21, lot 342, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7552473, link to their website: https://nomosag.com/.

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. 

I noted "genius of the senate" on the reverse unlike RIC 4B which notes "the emperor standing on the left ...". Indeed, this character always appears at the same age and bearded whether it is for emperors bearded or not, young or old.