A very rare denarius of Balbinus, an emperor who reigned for only approximately three months during the turbulent Year of the Six Emperors.
Decimus Caelius Calvinus Balbinus came from the Roman aristocracy and held a succession of senior state offices before ascending the throne. In AD 238, following the outbreak of the revolt against Maximinus Thrax and the deaths of Gordian I and Gordian II, the Senate proclaimed Balbinus and Pupienus joint emperors. Their task was to organise the defence of Italy and restore stability to the Empire.
Their joint reign, however, soon descended into rivalry. Neither emperor enjoyed the support of the Praetorian Guard, whose soldiers stormed the palace during a period of unrest, seized the two rulers and murdered them. After their deaths, the thirteen-year-old Gordian III became emperor.
The reverse depicts Providentia, the personification of divine providence and prudent foresight. The goddess holds a cornucopia and points a wand towards a globe. The legend PROVIDENTIA DEORVM, “Providence of the Gods,” was intended to proclaim that Balbinus had been elevated to the throne by divine will and that his reign would secure the safety of the Empire. In view of his exceptionally brief and violent reign, this message carries a particularly poignant significance.
A rare denarius of one of Rome’s shortest-reigning emperors and a compelling witness to the political crisis and struggle for power during the Year of the Six Emperors.
Roman Empire, Balbinus (238), Denarius 238, Rome mint
Obverse: bust of the emperor facing right
IMP C D CAE L BALBINVS AVG
Reverse: Providentia standing to the left, holding a wand over the globe and a cornucopia
PROVIDENTIA DEORVM
Diameter 20 mm, weight 2.41 g
