Hello all! I just got my very first sestertius, ever! I've wanted one of these chunky coins for quite a while, but prices just weren't within my poor-mans budget. However, I did manage to win this auction for just about $13, which I think is a deal-and-a-half for any sestertius, especially a thicc 34mm x 18.1g example. Gordian III is known to be, at age 13, the youngest Sole Emperor in Rome's history. Most of his statues and coins show an obviously young kid, such as the below: Some of his coins show a rather more mature-looking individual, who looks less like a kid and more like a late teen. Thus is the coin I now am happy to own, an issue from Viminacium! Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Rev: PMS C-OL VIM Diam: 34mm Weight: 18.1g Ref: AMNG 82, Martin 1'29'1 (I have no idea what any of the above means, that's just what Wildwinds shows) Please show off your big boys!
Fun! AMNG is a reference titled Die Antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands. It comes in four volumes. Volume I, part 1 is by Behrendt Pick and has coins from Viminacium. I have a Gordian from Viminacium too, but with a radiate crown and on a smaller module: Gordian III, AD 238-244. Roman provincial Æ 21.6 mm, 7.85 g, 1h. Moesia Superior, Viminacium, AD 242/3. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: P M S C-OL VIM, Moesia standing facing, head left, extending hands to bull and lion standing at her feet on either side, AN IIII (year 4 = AD 242/3) in exergue. Refs: H&J, Viminacium, 15; AMNG I 84; Varbanov 119; BMC --.
Very nice! Nothing like holding a big ol' sestertius in hand. Here are a few of mine (the Nerva shown is a dupondius.. the rest sestertii) ..
While I can't really agree with calling the Provincials sestertii, the Viminacium AE of Gordian and Philip can be nice large coins. After that, the shrank fast. Real Rome mint sestertii of Gordian are not hard to find. However you really want of of Vespasian who is cheapest of the really good sized ones.
Congrats @hotwheelsearl ! I have a large one like yours , I will posted tomorrow. Gordian III and Phillip I coins from this series are generally well made(in size and even style) , compared to other emperors after Decius to Gallienus.
I really like these Viminacium coins, especially the chunky feeling of the big ones in hand. Congrats on getting a nice big one, @hotwheelsearl! Gordian III, Ruled 238-244 AD AE Sestertius, Moesia, Viminacium Struck 242/243 AD (RY 4) Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Reverse: PMS C-OL VIM, Moesia standing facing, head left, extending hands to bull and lion standing at feet on either side, AN IIII in exergue (RY 4 = 242/243 AD). References: SNG Cop 144, Moushmov 33 Size: 30mm, 14.5g Gordian III, Ruled 238-244 AD AE32 Sestertius, Moesia, Viminacium Struck 241/242 AD (RY 3) Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Reverse: PMS C-OL VIM, Moesia standing facing, head left, extending hands to bull and lion standing at feet on either side, AN III in exergue (RY 3 = 241/242 AD). References: SNG Cop 142, BMC 9 Size: 32mm, 18.9g It's cool that there are many other emperors of the era with these coins. Philip the Arab, Ruled 244-249 AD AE28 Sestertius, Moesia, Viminacium Struck 248/249 AD (RY 5) Obverse: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate head right. Reverse: PMS C-OL VIM, Moesia standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion, AN V in exergue (RY 5 = 248/249 AD). References: Varbanov 132, Mouchmov 36 Size: 28mm, 16.74g Trajan Decius, Ruled 249-251 AD AE Sestertius, Moesia, Viminacium Struck 249/250 AD (RY 11) Obverse: IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, laureate, draped bust right. Reverse: PMS C-OL VIM, Moesia standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion, AN XI below (RY 11 = 249/250 AD). Reference: Cohen 139 Size: 29mm, 15.5g
Great examples, @Justin Lee ! Previously I only had a rough AE20 of Gordy with that reverse; I’m happy to supplant that one with this new pickup
I'd love to see that AE20 Vim GIII! That Roman colony issued sestertius sized coinage, medium sized dupondius-style coinage with radiate (like RCs above) and a smaller, more denarius laureated AE coin as well (that is the type I'm mildly seeking). Just last week one did very well on Ebay. I wonder if it was anyone on here?
A Julio-Claudian sestertius: Nero - kinda beat-up, but a bold portrait. NERO, SESTERTIUS, BMCRE Vol. I, Rome, No. 114 NERO, SESTERTIUS, RIC Vol. I, Rome, No. 356 (66-67AD, 36mm, 26.8gm) Obverse depiction: Nero, laureate head facing right Inscription: IMP NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM PM TRP XIII PP Reverse depiction: Personification of Roma seated left on cuirass resting elbow on shield and holding spear, helmet behind Inscription: ROMA (in exergue) S C (left and right)
Herennia Etruscilla. Augusta, 249-251 AD. MOESIA SUPERIOR, Viminacium. Æ (28mm, 13.48 gm, 1h). Dated year 12 (250/1 AD). Obv: Diademed and draped bust right. Rev: Moesia standing left between bull and lion; AN XII (date) in exergue. Varbanov 179 (R5); Boric-Brescovic 1228; Mouchmov 48.
I scored my 1st sestertius of Gordian III this year . It's nothing special, but for $99.00 I couldn't resist . As Doug Smith states, there are plenty out there to choose from, & the portraits on his sestertii are of high quality . Gordian III, AD 238-244 (struck AD 239), Rome Mint. AE 20.63 gm, 31 mm, 11 h. Reverse: LIBERALITAS AVG II S C. RIC VI.III 269a.
Congrats! Something cool about your coin is the symbolism on the reverse with the personification of Moesia standing between the lion and bull. These two animals represent Legions VII and IV stationed in the province to protect this frontier. Viminacium was no cowtown; it was a major military camp and city in an area where the Romans campaigned for centuries against the Dacians, Goths, Sarmatians, Huns... Great coin!
I was literally wondering that exact thing but didn’t want to ask for fear of sounding dumb! Haha It’s definitely a cool reverse and I’m glad I have it in such a large form factor
That's a vibe on CT we need to stop... No dumb questions! Tons of varieties and corners of the market I know nothing about haha
AE31 , 17.1 gr Gordian III, Viminacium, Moesia, AMNG 71 IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right / PMS CO-L VIM, Moesia standing facing, head left, arms outstretched over a lion and a bull. Date AN dot I dot below.