So much for being done buying for the year. I was doing Secret Santa shopping when I came across this Gordian III Fortunae Redux struck in Antioch...a type which I still didn't have. So I bought it along with the coin I bought for my Secret Santa giftee. Don't worry, he ain't getting a Gordian III. I'm keeping all the Gordies, but whomever he is will be getting some Roman silver too (though I won't reveal any more details about that). Gordian III, 238 - 244 AD Silver Antoninianus, Antioch Mint, 22mm, 4.10 grams Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian right. Reverse: FORTVNAE REDVX, Fortuna seated left holding rudder and cornucopia. RIC98a
LOL, you and Gordy! Nice addition. Here is my eastern Gordy. Gordian III (238 - 244 A.D) AR Antoninianus O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right. R: ORIENS AVG, Sol standing left, raising right arm and holding globe in left hand. Antioch Mint 5.43g 22mm RIC IV, Part III, 213
I only have a measly 15 Gordie silvers. And only 1 in 7 of all my coins in my collection is a Gordie. Don't be arranging my Gordie Addiction Intervention until I've at least got 30 or so.
I know my Secret Santa will want to get me another Gordie, because well....but believe it or not, an Aurelian would be a far better gift, or maybe even a Numerian, or another Philip I (if you are reading this Secret Santa).
Nothing wrong with a little Gordie fix every now and then and especially so when it's a type you didn't have. Who would complain about a nice Gordian III from the famous Sallent Gordie Hoard?
Not that I'm trying to encourage your addition of anything--I think it's admirable that you are considering rehab--but do you have any Gordian sestertii in your collection? Bronze Sestertius Rome mint, A.D. 241-243 Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Rev: AETERNITATI AVG - Sol, standing left, raising right hand and holding globe, between S and C RIC 297(a) 29x30mm, 17.6g.
Ya Sallent, you really must get a sestertius... Gordian III, AD 238-244 AE, sestertius, 25.46g, 32.5mm; 12h; Rome, AD 238-239 Obv.: IMP CAES MANT GORDIANVS AVG; laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right Rev.: VICTORIA AVG; Victory advancing left, carrying wreath and palm; S-C
I've got 2 Sestertii of Gordian. The first has Apollo on reverse, whereas the second has Sol. Cohen 262 and Cohen 43.
I have only two Gordies. (my Gallienus habit is still going though; will be posting couple soon Here's an AR Gordian:
This Gordian III is holed and has quite miserable surfaces but is surprisingly large and heavy. Cilicia, Tarsos, Gordian III (238-244 AD), Æ 36 mm, 29.76 grams. Obverse: His radiate, draped, cuirassed bust r., seen from behind. Reverse: Perseus standing left, holding statuette of Apollo Lykeios, harpe and Medusa head. Reference: SNG Levante #1133-4. When I picked up this coin I was surprised how much bigger and heavier it was than the 30mm coins I usually encounter. The extra 6mm adds a lot of heft. I believe the largest Gordian III is SNG von Aulock #1618 which is said to be 45mm in diameter and weigh in at 40g. That puts it up with the large struck Egyptian bronze.