One more cool Roman Provincial from Mesopotamia, this one was purchased from Warren Esty (@Valentinian): Roman Empire, Mesopotamia, Singara. AE27. Gordian III (238-244 AD). Obverse: Bust left, Greek legend around. Reverse: Turreted bust of Tyche right, centaur (Sagittarius) above with bow. BMC 4; Sear Greek Imperial 3791v. (bust left instead of right). Gordian III became Roman Emperor in 238 AD at the age of 13, in complex circumstances. Maximinus Thrax (235-238) was unpopular, and in early 238 Gordian III's grandfather and uncle were jointly proclaimed in Africa as Gordian I and II, but they were quickly killed by Maximinus' loyalists. Their memory remained popular, however, so when the Roman Senate named Balbinus and Pupienus as co-emperors in opposition to Thrax, they also named the young Gordian III as Caesar and presumed heir. Thrax was assassinated, but Balbinus and Pupienus proved unpopular and were themselves soon killed by the Praetorian Guard, leaving Gordian III as sole ruler. The young and inexperienced emperor was little more than a puppet for his father-in-law and Praetorian Prefect, Timesitheus. The Sasanian Persians under Shapur I invaded Roman Mesopotamia, and Gordian III joined the army that repelled them and started to enter Sasanian territory. In 243 AD, Timesitheus died, and was replaced as Praetorian Prefect by the soon-to-be Philip I. In 244, Gordian III died, though the circumstances are unclear. Persian sources indicate he was killed in battle with Shapur, while Roman sources don't mention this battle and imply he may have been murdered by his own dissatisfied troops. Whether Philip I has any part in Gordian's death, or merely exploited the situation after the fact, is not known, but he quickly assumed the throne as Philip I, also remembered as "Philip the Arab" (244-249 AD). Singara (modern Sinjar, Iraq) like most Mesopotamian cities moved back and forth between Roman and Parthian/Sasanian control.It was conquered by Trajan in 114, but abandoned in 117 during Trajan's withdrawal from Mesopotamia. It was later retaken by Septimius Severus in 197 and became a Roman colony. A major nocturnal battle was fought in 344, and the city was taken by the Sasanians in 360 after a lengthy siege. In recent years, the city was the site of massacres of Yazidis by ISIS militants. I bought this coin from Warren Esty for $55. It has moderate wear, but a nice, smooth and even patina, and the main design elements are all clear. There seem to be two varieties of this type, with Gordian facing either right or left; left-facing, like my piece, seems to be less common.
My AE29 of Singara shows the same Gordian III joined by his bride Tranquillina and the same Tyche under Sagittarius but now full length seated on a rock. Mine was a bit cheaper ($14.41 delivered) roughly 30 years ago (that explains the 'discount'). A person could assemble a specialized collection of Gordian III Provincials only including big 'sestertius size' coins like these two. Many are seen worn so they must have served well as circulating currency. Many are really interesting coins.
Handsome bronze with nice patina. A worthy purchase at the price. Say, did anyone notice that @dougsmit seems to be looking a bit younger since his recent avatar change? I like the new one, but prefer the old one.
Very cool posts...and an interesting OP write-up as well! My sole Provincial from Moesia Inferior has a 'Nemisis' 'reverse.
Tranquillina, Augusta 241-244 A.D., Singara, Mesopotamia Bronze AE 26, S 3867, BMC 14, Singara mint 241 - 244 A.D.; obverse CAB TPANKVΛΛINA CEB, diademed and draped bust right; reverse CVP CEΠ KOΛ CINΓAPA, veiled and turreted bust of Tyche right, centaur Sagittarius above, discharging bow; rare
