PROVIDENTIA DEORVM


Reference : AYC #30, RIC 17
Weight: 21.36 grs
Metal: Bronze
Diameter: ?
Scarcity: Very rare
Type:

Obverse

Reverse

IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG

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

Providentia standing left, holding wand with the right hand and cornucopia with the left hand. Globe at her feet to the left.

Photo of a coin sold the ?/06/2002 by Classical Numismatic Group, CNR XXVII, lot 79, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=29669, link to their website: https://www.cngcoins.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.