Gordian III, Roman Empire. Anotoninian, 238-239 AD

Description: Gordian III, 238-244. Antoninianus (Silver, 22 mm, 5.36 g, 12 h), Rome Obverse: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to right, seen from behindReverse: FIDES MILITVM Fides standing front, head to left, holding signum in her right hand and scepter in her left.Catalog: Cohen 86. RIC 1A lustrous and yellowish toned coin. Minor worn, virtually as struck. Marcus Antonius Gordianus was the grandson of Gordian I and the nephew of Gordian II. His birthdate is unknown (around 225 AD) and he was emperor from 238 to 244 AD, ruling as Gordian III (also called Gordian the Pious). When the Senate deposed Maximinus, it appointed two emperors, Balbinus and Pupienus; however, the Praetorian Guard insisted that Gordian be named Caesar. After Maximinus and his son (Caesar Maximus) died, the Guard detained and murdered Balbinus and Pupienus, proclaiming Gordian emperor at probably just 13 years old. Assisted by his mother and later by Timesitheus, during the first part of his reign he was quite popular, especially among the soldiers, as his Praetorian prefect (Timesitheus), who had been chosen by his grandfather - Gordian I - was completely loyal to him. In 241 AD, the Persian king Shapur I invaded Syria, and Gordian III had to immediately join with his army. Although he achieved several victories, after the death from illness of his loyal prefect Misitheus (Timesitheus) in 243 AD, Philip the Arab came to power in the Praetorian Guard, who turned the army against Gordian and ultimately ordered his assassination on the banks of the Euphrates during the harsh campaign against the Persians. Gordian the Pious was killed by his own soldiers in Zaitha, near Circesium in Mesopotamia on February 25, 244 AD, succeeded by Philip I the Arab. The antoniniani of this emperor are among the most affordable coins of the Roman Empire, given their great profusion and the high quantity of them that have survived to our day.

Price: 120 USD

Location: Gent

End Time: 2024-11-30T13:19:46.000Z

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