2020-07-29 Wed

Balbinus was Roman emperor for three months in 238. A patrician, Balbinus was a Salian priest, twice a consul, and proconsul in Asia. In 238, when the Senate led a rebellion of the Italian cities against Maximinus (emperor 235–238), it placed the government in the hands of a board of 20, one of whom was Balbinus, and then chose Balbinus and Pupienus Maximus to be joint emperors.

Balbinus was an admired orator, a poet of distinguished fame, and a wise magistrate, who had exercised with innocence and applause the civil jurisdiction in almost all the interior provinces of the empire. Today on 29th July in the year 238, the Praetorian Guard storms the palace and capture Pupienus and Balbinus. They are dragged through the streets of Rome and executed. On the same day, Gordian III, age 13, is proclaimed emperor, the sixth emperor of the year.

The above shown silver Antoninianus was issued under his reign from Rome mint. It depicts the radiate, drapped, and cuirassed bust of Balbinus facing right on its obverse face. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin illustrates clasping hands.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions