Getting Out of a Rut

Most of you know I have been actively seeking the last two MA Legionary denarii for my collection. So much so, I have neglected, for the most part, the rest of my collecting interest. Well, I am trying to get out of this rut, so I've purchased a couple of other coins. The first I will present here. It's another Gordian III with a reverse I did not have for this emperor. Not only was the price right, but I liked the reverse detail. I will show my ignorance, but the "straps" hanging from the waist ( I do not know the actual name of the garment) seems to be easily identifiable.

GORDIAN III
AR Antoninianus
OBVERSE: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: PM TR P IIII COS II P P, Gordian in military dress, standing right with spear & globe
Struck at Rome, 241 AD
5.50g, 24mm
RIC IV iii, 92, page 25 - Cohen 253

 

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I like the intensity of G3's eye!

 

NICE @Bing ! Defined straps are great on your Ant! I still like your Marc Antony efforts, but this is great you are getting back into other coins.

 

A very attractive coin @Bing. Nice portrait too.

 

Gordie looks (appropriately) young in that portrait. Nice one, Bing.

 

nice score cf

 

Yes, a Gordian III...alright! Time for a Gordie party!



Here is my version of the OP coin, but in the Eastern style as it was probably struck in Antioch or another official eastern mint.


Gordian III, 238 - 244 AD
Silver Antoninianus, Antioch Mint, 24mm, 3.32 grams
Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVSFEL AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian right.
Reverse: SAECVLI FELICITAS, Gordian standing right holding globe and spear.
RIC216

 

@Bing It's a balteus

Found this on an educational website. Figured it's ok under fair use to share as this is for educational purposes only.

Image Self-Deteled by Poster

 

You are probably right on the use but it does say on the bottom right "just ask before use"

 

I know they are everywhere, but I like the Gordie IIIs and find them interesting.

 

Yeah, I get into ruts as well, when I hit a collecting stop sign. That is why I have so many different collecting interests. I know you have some other interests OP, revisit them but also just "look around" and see what looks cool. A new collecting interest always revitalizes me.

 

One of the interesting things about Gordie imperial silver is that he'd use the same identical reverses sometimes for both his denarii and antoninianii, and even for both eastern and Roman mint issues, and sometimes he'd use the same reverses but different legends, as in the case of Bing's Rome Mint product and my Antioch Mint product.

What this all means is that you got a lot of interesting varieties. If you think US Morgan Dollars have enough variety to keep you busy for life, try Gordian III imperial silvers for size. It probably has enough variety to keep you busy for 2 lifetimes. And if you want to get into his provincial issues, there's enough variety of Gordian III provincials to keep you busy for 4 lifetimes.

 

Lovely toning on that one and it IS an unusually well-struck reverse. SCORE!

Gordy party!!

 

Pretty girthy "balteus". Showoff!
And, come on. We all know that's not a globe he is holding. Clearly this is an ancient bowler. And this fella is looking to pick up a VII X split!!
I'm pretty sure my reverse is of a guy watering his lawn while holding a tiki torch


GordianIII
(AD 238–244). Silver
antoninianus Antioch, 239.
IMP CAES M ANT
GORDIANVS AVG, radiate,
draped, and cuirassed bust
of Gordian III right /
AEQVITAS AVG, Aequitas
standing facing, head left,
holding scales and double
cornucopiae. RIC 177a. RSC
17a. RCV 8600A. Scarce.

 

I thought the straps were called "pteruges"?

 

You water your garden using a snake as a hose? I hope it's not a rattle snake or a cobra



This "guy" is using his "water hose" to fill a bowl (probably water for his dog?). Either that or it's the Godess Salus feeding a sacred snake. I wonder which it could be?

 

Oops, I didn't notice the cornucopia. I thought you had a Salus feeding a snake reverse (Salus is sometimes depicted feeding a snake that is coming out of a basket, and your worn reverse reminded me of that).



Anyway, here is a better picture of your "guy watering his lawn." Must be an ancient sprinkler system that "he" is holding.

 

Yeah, I wish! That snake one if much cooler than mine (though your scales is much nicer as well it has a beautiful obverse!).

 

Pteruges are part of the subarmalis and was probably leather or linen. It's the strips that stick out under the armor at the shoulders and waist.

 

Very cool! I don't think I've seen one featuring the snake before. If I have, I was not aware that it was a snake.