Qcumbor Posted May 30, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 30, 2022 What would a coin forum be without them ? For years we've had the (bad) habit to call Gordian III's coinage, especially antoninianii "roaches", mainly I guess because they are so numerous and crawling everywhere. It's a bit unfair since we encounter coins made of good quality metal and some of the engraving is darn good. Here are some of them from my collection at Colleconline. Please feel free to post your best examples too Antoninianii Q 26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted May 30, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 30, 2022 Those are beauties! Im not afraid to admit that i own zero coins of Gordian as of yet. But i can see they are collectable. Many are available, affordable and of good quality. So i will get one too,one day... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romancollector Posted May 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 30, 2022 Nice antoninianii! I do not have an antoninianus of Gordian, but I do have a sestertius of him as Caesar and an aureus. Interestingly, these coins were struck one year apart. There is a clear evolution to a more mature portrait. 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted May 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 30, 2022 There is absolutely nothing wrong with Gordian III coins. Especially yours. In my opinion, common rulers like him are interesting to collect as there is a large variety of coins to choose from, so the interesting reverses and/or the good condition coins are affordable. As a side note, I don't own a Galba coin yet. Provincial or Imperial. Of course, one of the reasons is the price for them, but I am often wondering if I am willing to pay 250 EUR on a modest denarius just to have Galba ticked, especially since the reverse would be most likely boring (this is one of the things I look after a new coin, perhaps it's just me). Instead, I prefer to buy 5 coins that are more common, but also more interesting. Back to Gordian III - the denarius I like the most is this, also because of the reverse - I really like the way Hercules is depicted - ancient punk rocker? Gordian III AR Antoninianus. Rome, AD 241-243. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right. Rev: VIRTVTI AVGVSTI Hercules, naked, standing facing, head to right, resting one hand on hip and other on club set on rock; lion skin beside club. RIC IV 95; RSC 404 3.27 gr. 23 mm But my favorite Gordian III is this Hadrianopolis - probably my favorite provincial. Thrace. Hadrianopolis. Gordian III AD 238-244. Bronze Æ 16 mm, 2,32 g AYT K M ANT ΓOΡΔIANOC AV, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right / AΔΡIANOΠOΛEITΩN, ostrich walking right Varbanov 3833; RPC VII.2, — (unassigned; ID 67356); Jurukova, Hadrianopolis 676; Moushmov 2630A 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtisimo Posted May 30, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 30, 2022 Nice coins Q! I only have one but I like it 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) 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted May 30, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 30, 2022 Great coins @Qcumbor! I got an As just to stray from the Silver Gordians... GORDIAN III ASRI Gordian III 238-244 CE AE As 25mm Hercules S-C 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troyden Posted May 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 30, 2022 There's actually a good reason why so many of Gordians (and Philips for that matter) survived. These were some of the very last silver coins of relatively good finesse that happened to circulate among the civilian population. The monetary system collapsed under Decius, in large part because the imperial treasury including mobile mint accompanied the army and were captured by the Goths after the disaster at Abritus, while soldiers paid with coins produced so far perished or were enslaved. Facing with inflow of debased coinage, people were hoarding Gordians at massive scale. This had a double effect of producing a massive number of surviving coins and further worsening the financial situation of the state. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furryfrog02 Posted May 30, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 30, 2022 I'm not sure why G3 gets so much hate? I like his coins. They are plentiful and cheap (good for the bottom feeder like me) and they have lots of different themes. Here are 2 of my favorite G3's: 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted May 30, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 30, 2022 (edited) @Qcumbor....Great looking group! My Gordian with a clarinet playing Hercules.. Edited May 30, 2022 by Spaniard 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordianAppreciator101 Posted May 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 30, 2022 Gordianposting, my favourite thing to do. My budget is humble so I'm very careful with that coins I purchase. This was, for example, my first online purchase! Really worth every cent. The beginning of a long passion for the little guy that could rule an empire. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordianAppreciator101 Posted May 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 30, 2022 38 minutes ago, Romancollector said: Nice antoninianii! I do not have an antoninianus of Gordian, but I do have a sestertius of him as Caesar and an aureus. Interestingly, these coins were struck one year apart. There is a clear evolution to a more mature portrait. Those are some really impressive coins! You're definitely excused from not owning an ant. 😆 With that Aureus not only today, but back then you could buy quite a few Antoniniani. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted May 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 30, 2022 (edited) I really like coins of Gordian III. This is probably my favorite Gordian as it’s an early portrait that has some similarities to Balbinus portraits. Same coin pictured in both photos. Photo 1: quick phone photo on my desk. Photo 2: using my wife’s ring light. Edited May 30, 2022 by Orange Julius Detail on photos 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted May 30, 2022 · Patron Share Posted May 30, 2022 Here you go, @Mat 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. But I'm an even bigger fan of Gordian sestertii. Gordian III, AD 238-244. Roman Æ sestertius, 24.30 gm, 28.7 mm, 12 h. Rome, AD 240. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: LIBERTAS AVG SC, Libertas standing left, holding pileus and scepter. Refs: RIC 318a; Cohen 153; RCV 8717; Hunter 147. Gordian III, AD 238-244. Roman Æ Sestertius, 20.01 gm, 28.2 mm, 11 h. Rome, 5th officina. 9th emission, AD 241. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: PM TRP IIII COS II PP SC, Apollo seated left, holding laurel branch and resting left arm on lyre. Refs: RIC 302; Cohen 252; Sear --; Banti 72. And I'm particularly fond of Gordy III provincials! Gordian III, AD 238-244. Roman provincial Æ 27.1 mm, 12.33 g, 9 h. Moesia Inferior, Nicopolis ad Istrum, Sabinius Modestus, legatus consularis, AD 241-244. Obv: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC ΑVΓ, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: ΥΠ CΑΒ ΜΟΔЄCΤΟV ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛЄΙΤ | ΩN ΠPOC ICTP, Nimbate figure of snake-god Glycon, coiled in two coils, rising up, head right. Refs: RPC VII.2, 1307; Hristova/Hoeft/Jekov (2018) 8.36.22.4 (same dies); Varbanov 4146; Moushmov 1488; Mionnet Suppl. 2, 708; AMNG 2104 var.; BMC --; Lindgren --; Sear --. Gordian III, AD 238-244. Roman provincial Æ Pentassarion, 13.30 g, 27.1 mm, 7 h. Thrace, Anchialus, AD 238-244. Obv: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC ΑVΓ, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: ΟVΛΠΙΑΝWΝ ΑΓΧΙΑΛΕWΝ, Nude athlete standing facing, head right, holding palm branch and wreath. Refs: AMNG II, 632.3, p. 276; Mionnet Suppl. 2, 136; RPC VII.2, — (unassigned; ID 48982); Corpus Nummorum Thracorum cn.anchialus.4915. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsyas Mike Posted May 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 30, 2022 Nice Gordies - I was hoping somebody would bring him up in the new Forum. Recently this countermark came my way, a big sestertius-sized Provincial. My photos came out kind of odd when it comes to the color, so I'm running both of them - it is more black than green in hand: Greener version: Gordian III Æ 30 Irenopolis-Neronias, Cilicia CY 192 (242/243 A.D.) ΑΥΚ ΜΑΝΤω ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right / ƐΙΡΗΝΟΠΟΛƐΙΤωΝ, ЄT BЧP in exergue, Hygieia standing right feeding serpent, facing Serapis standing left. (10.02 grams / 30 mm) eBay Feb. 2022 Host Coin Attribution: RPC VII.2 unassigned 2075; SNG Levante 1622; SNG von Aulock 5596; SNG France 2270. Countermark: Obverse: Monogram in 6 mm circle (EIPH = Eirenopolis), Howgego 616. Close-up of the rather confusing countermark: 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted May 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 30, 2022 I think I only have one 'roach'; a present from dad some 25 years ago. Question: Something I remember vividly about digging around HJB's pick bins 25 years ago; a plethora of rusty Gordian Ants. I don't think they would have been ancients counterfeits; I remember them being silver with some rust. My favorite Gordians are all AE. They've been posted before, but of the photographed ones; purchased for the patinas. Sestertius. As. As-found denarius. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted May 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 30, 2022 I don't have many Gordian III coins, but will post 3 bronze coins from my collection 😊. There are some beauties posted on this thread 🤩. Gordian III, AD 238-244 (struck at Rome Mint AD 239). AE Sestertius: 20.63 gm, 31 mm, 11 h. Reverse: Liberalitas holding cornucopia & abacus. RIC IV.III 269a. 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted May 31, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted May 31, 2022 Beautiful coins folks. Gordian gets a bad rap.I have 5 antoniniani of his but I will post when I am on the laptop instead of the phone! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted May 31, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted May 31, 2022 18 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said: I don't have many Gordian III coins, but will post 3 bronze coins from my collection 😊. There are some beauties posted on this thread 🤩. Gordian III, AD 238-244 (struck at Rome Mint AD 239). AE Sestertius: 20.63 gm, 31 mm, 11 h. Reverse: Liberalitas holding cornucopia & abacus. RIC IV.III 269a. Welcome, @Al Kowsky. Good to see you here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Severus Alexander Posted May 31, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 31, 2022 (edited) I'm sure everyone secretly loves their Gordies! I know I do! 😍 And I'd say "roach" is actually a term of endearment! An amazing number of Farnese Hercules reverses in this thread... might as well add mine, it's probably my favourite roach: Here's an Antioch roach from before the fateful invasion of the Parthian empire: Look at little Gordie all kitted up with his cuirass! 😄 I like the Gordie denarii, as the last substantial issue of this denomination: Nice sestertii, @Roman Collector! Here's my only one: And now for some wackier stuff. A fourrée and a fourrée core: Plus a wild imitation denarius. Diana is not looking too sexy on this one: Edited May 31, 2022 by Severus Alexander 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zumbly Posted May 31, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 31, 2022 7 hours ago, Roman Collector said: Here you go, @Mat I enjoy a Gordy ant every now and then. LOL! @Mat was the one who came up with "cockroach" as the term of endearment for our Gordies. I have a few here for Mat as well. 😁 GORDIAN III AR Antoninianus. 4.01g, 23.8mm. Antioch mint, 2nd series, 2nd issue, AD 242-244. Bland, Gordian III 82; RIC IV 216; RSC 319a; McAlee p. 316, fig. 28A (this coin illustrated). O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. R: SAECVLI FELICITAS, Gordian standing right, holding transverse spear and globe. Ex Richard McAlee Collection GORDIAN III AR Antoninianus. 4.56g, 24.5mm. Rome mint, AD 240. RIC 56; Cohen 386. O: IMP CAES GORDIANVS PIVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: VIRTVS AVG, Mars standing facing, head left, holding branch and inverted spear; at his feet, grounded shield. Ex St. Jean d'Ardieres Hoard, Rhône, France, 1995 (Guillaumont-Richard, 9 April 2016, part of lot 180) GORDIAN III AR Antoninianus. 3.95g, 22.6mm. Rome mint, AD 243-244. RIC 147. O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM, Mars, helmeted, in military attire, hastening right, holding transverse spear in right hand and shield in left hand. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zumbly Posted May 31, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 31, 2022 1 hour ago, Severus Alexander said: Plus a wild imitation denarius. Diana is not looking too sexy on this one: On the other hand, that's a great Vitalik Buterin on the obverse! 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Egry Posted May 31, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted May 31, 2022 I have never heard of a denarius of Gordian III considered a roach, I find it a bit amusing. I do recall the first time I saw one, it was probably the second Roman coin I seriously looked at. I was amazed at the condition of it, and how bulbous his head was and pointy his nose on this particular coin, must have been a trainee engraver. I actually appreciated how the Roman’s displayed how they were Here is my Gordian III (unfortunately not the one I mentioned above) I’ll also include his Gramps and Dad for completeness 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted May 31, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted May 31, 2022 14 hours ago, Romancollector said: Nice antoninianii! I do not have an antoninianus of Gordian, but I do have a sestertius of him as Caesar and an aureus. Interestingly, these coins were struck one year apart. There is a clear evolution to a more mature portrait. Exceptional coins, congrats. I would love a GIII as Caesar and an aureus too. Life is too short I guess ! Q 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted May 31, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted May 31, 2022 (edited) 5 hours ago, Severus Alexander said: I like the Gordie denarii, as the last substantial issue of this denomination: I like them too @Severus Alexander and got a fabulous example from the well known AMCC venue (so sorry @Mat doesn't like GIII pile-on threads, I made that one for you buddy 🙂 : A few other denarii of mine Q Edited May 31, 2022 by Qcumbor 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted May 31, 2022 · Patron Share Posted May 31, 2022 (edited) 5 hours ago, Severus Alexander said: An amazing number of Farnese Hercules reverses in this thread... I'm sure an amazing number were struck, including with this reverse die, which struck a thousand more flans than it should have. It's a little worn. Edited May 31, 2022 by Roman Collector 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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