I'm a Sucker for Gordies

I can't pass up a good one, and he is also my avatar. Though this is a new type for me. This is a new one from @John Anthony's auction of last week. Here is my attempt to photograph it. Through his marriage to Tranquillina, Gordian had fallen under the influence of Timisitheus, the Praetorian Prefect. When Timisitheus passed away this left Gordian on his own to conduct a war against the Sassanid Persians.

There are three theories regarding his demise. (a) He died of an illness (b) He was killed in battle against the Persians, or (c) Phillip the Arab, the new Praetorian Prefect, had him killed prior to assuming the throne himself. Historians are divided on the issue of Gordian's death, and perhaps we will never know the truth!

Please share any Gordian III's you've got!

Gordian III, A.D. 238-244

AR Antoninianus, 24mm, 4.9 grams

Rome mint, A.D. 241-243

Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: PM TRP III CIS II PP; Apollo seated left, holding laurel branch and leaning on lyre

Reference: RIC IV 114

 

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Wait...two of you!

@Sallent

Nice coin addition!

 

Wonderful OP coin. Great to know someone else likes Gordie.

Out of my 13 silver Gordies, this is probably my favorite:



And this is my favorite Gordie bronze:



And of course, here is my example of OPs coin:

 

Very nice, especially nice large flan. Just posted my favorite Gordie in Sallent's post but here is my second fav. AR Antoninianus, Jupiter. Toned.

 

I suspect this denarius may be different from others' by more than most. It is fourree, barbarous and has a reverse legend (Pax) that does not match its reverse figure (Liberalitas). ex. Bill Porter

We have more than one GIII thread running now but I hope you realize that RIC only lists 246 gold and silver plus a few 'a' numbers so there will be plenty for you to collect for a while.

 

Two Gordie threads in a day?? Why not just have a third and crash the server .

J/k. That's a really nice example, @ancient coin hunter. I'll just post one I think I haven't shown recently. I like his man-boy whiskers on it.

 

I like Gordies . While not my very favorite he is one of and dominates as far as number of coins in my collection.
I had my eye on that OP, had things been going better here at home I may have run you up on it. Glad it went to a good home.
Here is one of my fave G III's

 

While I like a good Gordie ant ...



... and especially a nice, big sestertius ...



I'm a sucker for G&T provincial marriage commemoratives!

 

That is one great GIII, Mr. Z!

 

Here's my best GIII ant...I only have 2!

 

Very nice!

At least it's not falling horsemen.

 

For what you paid what a bargain, it's hard to believe that a chunk of silver that is near 1800 years old and almost rivals today's coin strike's can sell so cheap...........shhhhh if we tell to many people I am sure it won't be so good in future.

 

Gordian III, Apollo

 

Although I don't collect them, while browsing my gallery I find myself having at least ten of them. Here are the antoniniani


Gordian III, Antoninianus Rome mint, AD 238-239
IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III seen from behind
IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre, a small figure of the Emperor at his feet
5,33 gr
Ref : Cohen # 105 (3), RIC # 2, RCV # 8614



Gordian III, Antoninianus Rome mint c. AD 241-243
IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, Draped and radiate bust of Gordian right
VIRTVTI AVGVSTI, Hercules standing right, leaning on club
5.41 gr
Ref : RCV #8670, Cohen #404



Gordian III, Antoninianus Rome mint AD 243
IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
SECVRITAS PERPETUA, Securitas standing left, holding scepter and resting on column
6,95 gr, 25 mm
Ref : RIC #153, RCV #8661, Cohen #336
Ex FORVM ancient coins

Q

 

How's about a framed Gordian III? Framed with, for no apparent historical reason, a Tetricus antoninianus? It is one of those "Glories of Ancient Rome" magazine offers, I'd imagine, and I imagine it cost a fortune originally, but I got this on eBay for $9.95.

The Gordie is the common "Farnese Hercules" reverse, decently struck and reasonably fine style. The Tetricus is so wretched I can't make out the reverse. The frame is wooden and pretty nice, actually, so I decided not to dismantle it. It's propped up in my cubicle at work.

 

That's a really interesting display, thanks for sharing it.

 

Notice the text specifies that Gordian is the top coin.

 

Nice catch Doug...hadn't noticed that.

 

Good eye, Doug. I hadn't noticed it either. Note the coin capsules are two different sizes, so there is no way to reverse them without screwing around with the materials. Somebody at the Worldwide Treasure Bureau was napping.

Speaking of WWTB, apparently in 1994 they sold a fake Celtic coin to a guy seeking legal advice on justanswer.com. I think my Gordian & Tetricus are okay, but it had me a little worried.

https://www.justanswer.com/law/65y3x-purchased-ancient-celtic-coin-1994-company-call.html

 

In general, a certificate of authenticity signed by the seller of the item is not worth the paper it is printed on. The whole concept of third party certificates is that the issuer does not benefit from lying to you. From sellers, we need a money back guarantee not a diploma suitable for framing.