Pupienus, 238. Antoninianus (Silver, 18 mm, 2.07 g), Rome, circa April-June 238. IMP [CAES M CLOD PV]PIENVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Pupienus to right, seen from behind. Rev. [ ... ]G Clasped right hands. Heavily clipped, otherwise, good very fine.


This antoninianus of Pupienus was carefully trimmed so that it could be set into a piece of jewelry - probably a pendant, or more likely a ring. The focus was not on the imperial portrait but on the clasped hands, a popular motif for friendship or marriage rings. The piece thus offers a fine example of the appropriation of an imperial image into a private visual medium.