Dupondius Maximinus Thrax - Victory in Germany

MAXIMINUS. Æ Dupondius. Rome, 236-238 AD. Obv. MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM Radiated, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. VICTORIA GERMANICA SC, Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm-branch, a captive seated on ground at her feet. RIC 91; Cohen 111 (4 F) Scarce Type commemorating the victory against the Alemanni. Maximinus knew that the war against the Alemanni was of paramount importance, for it was the very reason because of which his predecessor, Severus Alexander, had been killed. But first the new emperor need to deal with potential internal rebellions. At first, while he was trying to begin a campaign across the Rhine, a group of officers, backed by influential senators, planned to cut the bridge of boats leading across the river, helplessly stranded the other side. At his subsequent death at the hands of the Germans they intended to proclaim the senator Magnus emperor. But the conspiracy was betrayed and Maximinus had all the suspects executed. Then there followed a very brief crisis among the eastern archers (Mesopotamians from Osrhoene) which had come to the Rhine with Alexander Severus and still held dear his memory. They invested as emperor one of the Alexander's friends, Quartinus. But their leader Macedo then changed sides and instead killed Quartinus. The threats had been averted, but did take a toll on the emperor who thereafter remained deeply suspicious of everyone. With senators being to most obvious threat to him as they were the likeliest candidates for imperial office, he had them all removed from the army, replacing them with loyal soldiers who owed their previous promotions to him. These revolts having been dealt with, Maximinus then crossed back over the Rhine and drove deep into Germany, his troops marauding the country. A decisive battle then was fought in a swamp near the border dividing today's regions of Württenberg and Baden. The emperor is said to have himself been chest-high in the water at times, urging on his men, leading them, despite heavy losses, to a devastating defeat over their enemy. The Alemanni, badly mauled by the Roman forces, would thereafter remain at peace for some time.[roman-empire.net] Struck by fresh dies, in virtually uncirculated condition; natural toned orichalcum with green-blue encrustations. Provenance: Numismatica Genevensis auction 5, Geneva 2 December 2008, lot 279; Sternberg XVIII (1986), lot 265