A Gordian III antoninianus was my first denomination of an ant, and also one of the first Roman coin in my collection that I got last year from Vcoins on discount, even though not the prettiest coin with all the tooling, it has the charm. And recently I got the chance to buy this coin for around 25 bucks, while it's certainly not 'Fleur de lis', it's definitely an upgrade to my previous one!
Nice upgrade, @JayAg47! I enjoy a Gordy ant every now and then ... Gordian III, AD 238-244. Roman AR antoninianus, 3.62 g, 21.6 mm, 5 h. Rome mint, 2nd officina, 3rd emission, AD 241-243. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: IOVI STATORI, Jupiter standing facing, head right, holding scepter and thunderbolt. Refs: RIC 84; Cohen 109; RCV 8615; Hunter 51.
Here's some: Gordian III, A.D. 238-244 AR Antoninianus, 24mm, 4.9 grams Rome mint, A.D. 241-243 Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right Reverse: PM TRP III CIS II PP; Apollo seated left, holding laurel branch and leaning on lyre Reference: RIC IV 114
Nice Gordians, @JayAg47 One of my favorite areas to collect. There are two types of the Fortuna seated type, one from Rome (wheel below throne), the other from Antioch (no wheel; like your new one): Gordian III Antoninianus (243-244 A.D.) Antioch Mint IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, cuirassed and draped bust right. / FORTVNA REDVX, Fortuna seated left holding rudder and cornucopia, no wheel below throne (Rome). RIC 210; RSC 98a; RCV 8613 (3.11 grams / 22 mm) eBay April 2019 One of only two slabs I have! Gordian III Antoninianus (243-244 A.D.) Rome Mint IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, cuirassed and draped bust right. / FORTVNA REDVX, Fortuna seated left holding rudder and cornucopia, wheel below throne. RIC 144; RSC 98. (? grams (ICG slab) / 23 mm) eBay Mar. 2019 $13.88 A sestertius version of the type (Rome mint, wheel - I don't think Imperial AEs were minted in Antioch): Gordian III Æ Sestertius (243-244 A.D.) Rome Mint GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG laureate and draped bust right / FORTVNA RED[V]X, Fortuna seated left, holding rudder and cornucopiae; wheel below seat, S[C] in exergue. RIC 331a; Cohen 99. (20.90 grams / 29 mm) eBay Apr. 2018
Nice one @JayAg47 . Gordian III has some nice ants with some interesting types. Here is my favorite. Roman Empire Gordian III (238-244) AR Antoninianus, Rome mint Dia.: 24.5 mm Wt.: 3.89g Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: VIRTVTI AVGVSTI; The Farnese Hercules: statue of Hercules right, with apples of the Hesperides and lion skin, and leaning upon club. RIC 95. Ex Michael Higley Collection with tag; Ex AMCC 1, lot 236 (Dec. 2018)
Can't go wrong with a Gordy! I tried to narrow down to just one. Couldn't do it. These Providentia types I think are part of his first emission, and have a distinctly Balbinus-esque portrait A middle-reign coin, one of my first pickups for something like $30, still the best portrait of him that I have And finally a late reign example that was also very inexpensive; this is one of the few where he has any facial hair at all, in the form of sideburns and a peach fuzz moustache
Cute, but probably an idealized portrait by the die cutter. Note "first emission": Gordian III. 238-244 AD. AR Antoninianus (23mm; 4.45 gm; 5h). Rome mint. 1st emission, 238 AD. Obv: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Fides standing facing, head left, holding standard and scepter. RIC IV 1; RSC 86.
We all have to have a few Gordian III in our trays : Coins of Gordian III are what I look for when I need a coin-fix and don't have the money for the Gran Slam ! I have now a small series of them (I'm not collecting Gordian III coins, I swear !), and here are a few of them (great portraits and reverses for little money I think) Q
It is probably a mistake to rely on the first coins of any ruler if you really want the true appearance. There is a tendency for them to look like a predecessor or vary from die to die until the mint staff got the hang of the new boss. First Gordians do seem a bit like Balbinus. Why are they not like Gordian I? Do we have hoard evidence that proves that the coins of Gordian I and II were issued before Balbinus and Pupienus? I fail to understand why this Gordian Caesar does not look like Balbinus.
