PLEASE NOTE that this is going to be a long running thread for me to document, discuss, and provide a little background history and commentary on each Gordian III coin I add to my collection. I AM NOT asking for any likes, as you've already given me likes for these in other threads. HOWEVER, all comments are welcomed, and PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE your new Gordian III finds too, including pics, research, and comments. The purpose of this thread is to serve as a long-term project documenting all Gordian III Roman and Provincial coinage I come across, for educational purposes, and for quick referencing by new members who got their first Gordian III coin, or those curious about the variety of coinage of this little known Emperor. This is a long term project intended to run for years and slowly build upon itself. We shall begin with this coin: Gordian III, AD 238-244 AE sestertius, 30mm, 16.5g, 12h; Rome mint, AD 241. Obv.: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: SECVRITAS AVG; Securitas enthroned left, holding scepter, resting head on elbow leaning on chair back, S C in exergue. Reference: RIC IVc 311a, p. 49 ABOUT SECURITAS Securitas was a popular theme amongst Roman Emperors, depicted on a large variety of coinage throughout the history of the Empire. Securitas was the Goddess of security and stability, often associated with the stability of the Empire. Securitas is depicted on Roman coinage as a Roman woman in matronly clothing, though sometimes she is also depicted half clothed with a veil covering her lower half. Sometimes she is also portrayed sitting on a chair in a tranquil manner, with her head resting on elbow leaning on chair back. Often her depictions have her holding either a scepter, a scipio, a hasta para, a cornucopiae, or a patera. Sometimes she is also shown near an altar or leaning against a column. The meaning in the particular coin above is self-evident. Gordian III, as a boy emperor in turbulent times, would have depicted her image on coinage to as imperial propaganda that he was bringing stability and tranquility to an empire in chaos. This is particularly wishful thinking on his part, given the bloody path that got him to the throne, and the perilous situation he was in. Ultimately Securitas served him poorly, as he was either killed in battle or murdered.
That seems an inefficient use of CoinTalk real estate. Perhaps you were unaware of CoinTalk's Gallery pages? That would better long-term storage facility and gathering spot for your documentation project, with the added benefit of being able to create multiple albums (GIII Imperial, GIII Provincial, or however you want to break it down once you start getting a lot of them). Your data gathering would be more useful there where you can sort it and organize it. Otherwise, this will become an endless chaotic unorganized thread, impossible to find anything without scrolling through each entry. The "post your Hadrians" and "Hadrian provincial" threads have become similarly chaotic, although the purpose was different than what you propose (just a place to show neat coins rather than some organized effort at scholarship).
Interesting. No, I was not aware of the gallery feature. I'll check it out. I think I'll still post here to show off the neat finds and provide a little bit of history, education, and commentary on each coin, but do a more concise and organized catalog-like thing in the gallery section. Anyway, coin #2 is coming later this evening.
As young as he was, it is easy to forget that Gordian III was a warrior. Gone were the days of the fat emperors lounging in a villa in Capri or somewhere else. In these turbulent times, even the young emperors were expected to be amongst their soldiers, and die next to them in battle if need be, or as it happened more often... die at the hands of their own troops. In February of 244 CE, Gordian III and his troops did battle against the forces of King Shapur I of the Sassanian Empire. Although little is known about the battle itself, known to historians as the Battle of Misiche, the outcome was an embarrassing and nearly disastrous Roman defeat. And that's where the mystery of Gordian III's death begins. Shapur I claimed Gordian III died in the battlefield: Later Roman sources claimed Philip I murdered Gordian III. But then again, every time a Roman emperor was murdered by Roman hands, they always went down in history as bad emperors. The reality was that it served well for the next emperor to hire writers to tarnish the reputation of the previous murdered emperor, to make himself look better in the public's eyes, and distance himself from the previous unfortunate holder of that great office. To add to the confusion, other Roman sources say that Gordian III died in his imperial tent of injuries received in battle, and that Philip I carried Gordian's body to Rome and deified the deceased young emperor. Hardly the actions one would expect if Philip I had actually murdered Gordian III. Whatever the truth might be, I prefer the Sassanian version with Gordian III dying in the battlefield itself. Coin #2 Gordian III AR Antoninianus (23.08mm, 4.38g) Rome mint, 238-244 CE IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, Radiate draped cuirassed bust right / PROVIDEN-N-TIA AVG, Providentia standing left holding wand over globe at her feet, sceptre in left hand RIC IV 150 ABOUT PROVIDENTIA Providentia was not so much a Goddess, but rather the deified personification of the Roman ideal of care, wisdom, and foresight. Providentia in Roman coinage doesn't really make an appearance until the time of Augustus. Providential is most often depicted as a female, clothed in a matron’s gown, usually holding in her left hand a cornucopiae, or a hasta pura, and in her right hand a short wand, with which she either touches or points to a globe. Sometimes she holds this globe in her right hand, at others it lies at her feet. The type depicted on the coin above is believed to mark the power and wisdom of the emperor, ruler of the Roman world. Clearly an important piece of propaganda in a perilous world.
Really? You are lucky you are in Canada @stevex6, because no man disses my Gordian III and gets away with it. Them is fighting words.
Ummm, so I guess your plan is to keep a thread that only you can append for the end of time? *whatev* we're probably both wrong (TIF is probably correct that there are gallery thingies) *edit*
What are you talking about? Re-read my OP. Pics from others, as well as comments, are welcomed. *The magic of an edit button and time to re-think things.
I've thought about the idea of a long running thread for my Julia Domna collection. But then I was like I have a website for my coins already. And yeah I admit, sometimes I feel lost reading through that Hadrian thread. @Sallent maybe you can try making a site or try using Forvm's gallery.
Beautiful G3 addition and excellent write up Sallent! I also really like the color statue comparison image of him you posted. That seams a lot more expertly rendered than most of those types of reconstructed images I've seen.
