Last night a shipment of three sestertii arrive from France. There are two of Faustina Junior and a third that needs identification. It is a problematic coin, but the type that one would expect from a $49 purchase. It is corroded, and, for good measure cleaned, down the bare metal on the obverse. The corrosion has also affected the flan. The coin's weight is only 12.9 grams. Now initially I thought this coin is one of Gordian III's issues, but then I looked at the portrait, what there is of it, and it really doesn't look like him; it is just too mature and kind of filled out, not youthful at all and lacking the high forehead that one sees on Gordian III's coins.. So I went online and started looking at some of the later emperors, including Trajan Decius, Trebonianus Gallus and his son, Volusian. No match there. Then I started searching based on the reverse, which has a standing figure facing right, holding a spear and shield. I found a reverse that is very similar on a sestertius of Gordian II (RIC 8), from DeaMoneta: Which leads me to think that this sad sestertius might be from Gordian II. Here are my photos of the coin in question: The coin actually looks better than the photos, and with time will re-tone. Did Gordian III use the same reverse for one of his sestertii? Who do you think is on the obverse? Thanks
Thank you for the suggestions. I'd say that the coin I have is closer to Valerian, at least in the style of the flan, with its "clipped" appearance, which is quite typical for this period. Gallienus is also a possibility, but the profiles seem different.
Another observation that I think puts my coin in the Valerian camp. The edge of the shield on the reverse of the Valerian sestertius is comprised of a row of dots. I don't see this style use for any of the Gordian II coins. Although the photos don't really show this element due to the coin's rough condition, the dots are visible with the coin in hand. So, I think the evidence points to Valerian, at least so far. Thanks
