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Message:: [QUOTE="philologus_1, post: 7485091, member: 92212"]That reminds me of a pair of "Gordy" sestertius coins in my collection which are (I think) both RIC IV 297a. [ATTACH=full]1294952[/ATTACH] The lower one was obviously buggered up for some reason. Perhaps it was to make it a game piece as [USER=10613]@Victor_Clark[/USER] mentioned re: his example above.  Or, perhaps as the seller speculated... "Considering the state of the economy and denominational reforms of the 3rd century (with the sestertius disappearing circa the 260's), it's actually not very common to see sestertii of emperors like Gordian in any state of significant wear. So this likely indicates a period of usefulness extending past the coin's circulation shelf life. Considering the 'damage' from the squared nail marks makes a perfect cross on the reverse (with the middle of the T of the cross right through Sol's head), and the conflation of Soli Invictus Natalis with the birth of Jesus (Dec 25th), it's likely this coin had religious significance to a Christian or Christian-leaning Pagan in the 3rd/4th century, equating Jesus & Sol." Or, perhaps someone was bored and chose to doodle in a way that would be quasi-permanent.  Regardless... they're both Gordian III coins![/QUOTE]