Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[dougsmit]

Sestertius as Caesar

My favorites of GIII are mostly Provincials.

This Nikopolis / Hermes is almost unusual because the large reverse legend fit on the edge of the design without being abbreviated or being finished in the fields.

Hadrianopolis / Apollo

Silver drachm of Caesarea from year four noting the second neocorate

 

4 1/2 assaria of Tomis with Tranquillina  This coin has always been special to me with the obverse raised layout dot overlapping the recessed centration pit.  I need to work on getting a macro close photo of just that detail. 

[mc9]

1 Denarius and 1 Antoninianus from Gordianus III :

IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG : cuirassed and Laureated bust r

SECVRITAS PVBLICA : Securitas seated l

RIC IVc 130, Denarius

IMP CAES MANT GORDIANUS AVG : radiate and cuirassed bust right

FIDES MILITUM : Fides standing front, looking right, holding insigna and sceptre.

RIC IVc 1, Antoninianus

[shanxi]

Gordian III
AR-Antoninianus
Obv.: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: PM TR P II COS P P, Victory advancing left, wreath in right and palm in left
Ag, 4.17g, 20.8mm
Ref.: RIC 19

[Prieure de Sion]

The young Gordianus has a little bit the image of a boring emperor - also in relation to his coins. I find that unfair. A very interesting field of collecting. The choice and creativity of the imperial reverse may be limited. But there are so many wonderful different Gordianus portraits and also a lot of fantastic provincial coins. Since the emperor is still affordable - a much too underestimated collecting area.

 

For my favorite portraits, I'll start with the young child Caesar from 238 AD.
 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III as Caesar

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 238 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 21mm; Weight: 1.97g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Gordian III (Caesar) 1; Obverse: Bust of Gordian III, bare-headed, draped, right. The Inscription reads: M ANT GORDIANVS CAES for Marcus Antonius Gordianus Caesar; Reverse: Priestly emblems: jug between lituus and knife on the left and simpulum and sprinkler on right. The Inscription reads: PIETAS AVGG for Pietas Duorum Augustorum (Piety of the two Augusti).

 

 

I especially like the imperial provincial coinage from Antioch. These portraits are simply something very special.
 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 238/239 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 21mm; Weight: 4.17g; Mint: Antiochia ad Orontem, Syria; Reference: RIC IV Gordian III 177a; Obverse: Bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right. The Inscription reads: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus; Reverse: Aequitas, draped, standing front, head left, holding scales in extended right hand and corncuopiae in left hand. The Inscription reads: AEQVITAS AVG for Aequitas Augusti (Equity of the Augustus).

 

 

This also includes the tetradrachm portraits.

 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Tetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 242 AD; Material: Billon Silver; Diameter: 28mm; Weight: 12.19g; Mint: Antiochia ad Orontem, Syria; Reference: Prieur 293, McAlee 875, RPC VII.2 3510; Obverse: Laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front with trabea. The Inscription reads: AYTOK K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC CEB for Autokrator Kaisaros Marcos Antonios Gordiano Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus); Reverse: Eagle standing facing, with wings spread, head and tail left, on ram, with head turned back, running left under crescent. The Inscription reads: ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠA TO B for Demarchos exousia Hypatos to Beta (Invested with the Tribunician Power, Consul of the 2nd time).

 

 

And the city Roman coinages do not have to hide in their portraits either.

 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 238 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 23mm; Weight: 4.3g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Gordian III 2; Obverse: Bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right. The Inscription reads: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus; Reverse: Jupiter, nude except for cloak on shoulders, standing front, head left, holding vertical sceptre in left hand and thunderbolt in right hand over Gordian III, togate, standing left and raising right hand. The Inscription reads: IOVI CONSERVATORI for Jovi Conservatori (To Jupiter the Protector).

 

 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 240 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 22mm; Weight: 5.06g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Gordian III 34; Obverse: Bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right. Inscription: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus; Reverse: Personification of the Aequitas, draped, standing front, head left, holding scales in extended right hand and corncuopiae in left hand. Inscription: AEQVITAS AVG for Aequitas Augusti (Equity of the emperor).

 

 

Here the back is not quite as nice - but the portrait quite interesting - the "aged" Gordianus with slight cheeks and upper lips beard.

 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 241/243 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 22mm; Weight: 4.24g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Gordian III 84; Obverse: Bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right. Inscription: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG for Imperator Gordianus Pius Felix Augustus; Reverse: Jupiter, nude, standing front, head right, holding long sceptre in right hand and thunderbolt in left hand. Inscription: IOVI STATORI for Iovi Statoris (to Jupiter, the upholder - preserver).

 

 

 

And this also exists and belongs to the interesting portraits - bronzes from the province, which did not know the emperor and depicted him with heroic idealized portraits. But they had little to do with the young emperor in reality.

 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Bronze Medaillon of the Roman Imperial Period 238/244 AD; Material: AE; Diameter: 35mm; Weight: 22.24g; Mint: Tomis, Moesia Inferior; Reference: RPC Online VII.2 1676; Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust of Gordian III, left, seen from front, with gorgoneion on cuirass, raising right hand, in left hand holding globe. The inscription reads: ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟⳞ ΑΥΓ for Autokrator Kaisaros Marcos Antonios Gordianos Augustos (Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus); Reverse: Gordian III, laureate, riding on galloping horse right, with right hand spearing enemy on ground, left. The inscription reads: ΜΗΤΡΟ ΠΟΝΤΟΥ ΤΟΜΕΩⳞ for Metropoleon Pontoupolis Tomeon (Metropolitan Pentapolis Tomis).

 

[mc9]

My favorite portrait on Dupondius and Sestertius :

IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG : Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right

PMS CO - L VIM // AN . I . :  Moesia standing facing between bull right and lion left

Moesia Superior / Viminacium, A.D. 239-240, Dupondius

 

IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG : Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right

IOVI STATORI / S-C : Jupiter standing front, head turned left, holding sceptre

Rome, 241-243 AD, Sestertius, RIC 298a

 

 

 

Edited February 18, 2023 by mc9

[Roman Collector]

OMG -- so many Gordian III coins in my collection! The most impressive are the sestertii. Here's one of my favorites.

Gordian III, AD 238-244.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 22.88 g, 30.7 mm, 1 h.
Rome, 6th officina. 13th emission, January-February AD 244.
Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: MARS PROPVGNAT SC, Mars advancing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and shield on left arm.
Refs: RIC 332a; Cohen 157; RCV 8718; Hunter 148; Banti 52.

I particularly like the dual-portrait coins of the Black Sea region. Before his marriage to Tranquillina, his effigy was paired with that of Serapis, but after his marriage, he naturally appears with Tranquillina. Their style can be somewhat crude, but this one from Mesembria is surprisingly well-rendered. I like the Apollo reverse, too. There are a lot of interesting features on this coin for the "technical collector" which illustrate the technique of die preparation: the compass dot in the geometric center of the obverse design, the lathe dimple from using a lathe to smooth the flan before striking, and circular scratches outside the beaded border from lathe-turning. While the lathe dimple hits Gordy right in the cheek, Tranquillina's portrait is unharmed and quite attractive.

Gordian III and Tranquillina.
Roman provincial AE 25.8 mm, 11.44 g.
Thrace, Mesembria, AD 241.
Obv: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC ΑVΓ CΕΒ-ΤΡΑΝΚVΛΛΙΝ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian and draped bust of Tranquillina, wearing stephane, confronted.
Rev: ΜΕCΑΜΒΡΙΑΝΩΝ, Apollo Musagetes (leader of the muses) in long robe, standing left, holding plectrum in outstretched right hand and resting left on lyre set on column.
Refs: RPC VII.2, 1226; BMC 3.133,15; Moushmov 3998; Varbanov 4175-4176.

As you know, coins depicting Tranquillina in the Roman imperial series are very scarce and astonishingly expensive. Since I don't have that kind of disposable income, I don't have any Tranquillina coins from the Roman imperial mint. I do have this sole-portrait issue of Deultum featuring Marsyas on the reverse. I bought it at a local show from Nick at Pegasi many, many years ago. @Alegandron has one that was struck with the same obverse die but has a different reverse type.

Tranquillina AD 241-244.
Roman provincial Æ 24.1 mm, 8.06 g, 8 h.
Thrace, Deultum, AD 241-244.
Obv: SAB TRANQVILLINA AVG, diademed and draped bust, right.
Rev: COL FL PAC DEVLT, Marsyas as Silenus facing right, carrying wine skin over left shoulder and raising right arm.
Refs: RPC VII.2 1057; Moushmov 3757; Jurukova, Deultum 408, 421; Draganov, Deultum 1499–1503.

Edited February 18, 2023 by Roman Collector
Adding information about Apollo Musagetes

[John Conduitt]

I only have one Gordian, somehow.

Gordian III Antoninianus, 241-243

Rome. 20mm, 5.57g. Bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right; IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG. Apollo, nude to waist, seated left, holding branch in extended right hand and resting left elbow on lyre, P M TR P IIII COS II P P (RIC IV, 88). Found near Woodbridge, Suffolk.

[Qcumbor]

Relly good portraits of Gordian III can be found at very good prices. Some great examples so far !

My best denarius (ex @Severus Alexander's collection)

 

Best antoninianus :

 

Best tetradrachm :

 

And to conclude with, best Tranquillina (ex @Steve's collection) :

Q

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Tranquillina, wife of Gordian III, AE 26 of Singara, 10.7 grams, 12h MESOPOTAMIA, Singara Obverse: SAB TRANQVILLINA AVG, diademed and draped bust right Reverse: AVP CEP KOA CINT APA; veiled bust of Tyche right; centaur Sagittarius leaping right and discharging bow above. Reference: BMC Arabia p. 136, 14; SNG Copenhagen 258 

Note: Black patina makes the coin a bit difficult to photograph.

 

Edited February 18, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter

[Julius Germanicus]

Here are an unpatinated Sestertius and a left-facing Tetradrachm:

IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind /
P M TR P V COS II P P S C - Gordian III, in military attire, advancing right, holding transverse spear and globe
Sestertius, Rome 242 (10th emission of Gordian III)
29,81 mm / 20,61 gr / 2 h
RIC 307a, Cohen 267, Banti 75, Sear 8731 var(TRP IIII), Brown (The Coinage of Gordian III) p. 7, Issue 4(b)

AVTOK K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC CЄB / ΔHMAPX ЄΞ VΠA TO B
Radiate, cuirassed bust of Gordianus III left, both pteryges visible /
Eagle standing facing, head left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; below, crescent above ram leaping left, head right.
Tetradrachm, Antioch, 242
10,91 g / 26 mm
McAlee 881; Prieur 298

 

[DonnaML]

I have relatively few Gordian III coins considering how common they are, but here are some I like:

Sestertius with Pax reverse

Denarius with Diana Lucifera reverse

Antoninianus with Apollo reverse

Like @Roman Collector, I love the dual-portrait Provincials from the Black Sea region, most from today's Bulgaria. Here's one with facing portraits of Gordian III and Tranquillina from Anchialus in Thracia (now Pomorie, Bulgaria), with a very robust Apollo on the reverse:

Note the presence of both a centration dot and a lathe dimple on the obverse, to use terms explained above by @Roman Collector. (I think that the two of us may have jointly invented the "lathe dimple" term over on Coin Talk a few years ago.)

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I think I have only one Gordian Ant. (unphotographed), here's an uncleaned Gordian III denarius, with the original Forum description.  I purchased it for its uncleaned look, which transforms it from a ho hum coin to an interesting one.

Except for a bag of provincials, I think the vast majority of my few Gordians are Sestertii. I don't know why, but a lot of my best patinas are from Gordian.

 

 

Silver denarius, RIC IV 114, RSC IV 238, F, uncleaned as found, Rome mint, weight 2.407g, maximum diameter 19.9mm, die axis 180o, 240 A.D.; obverse IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse P M TR P III COS II P P, Apollo seated left, branch in right, resting left arm on lyre;

This denarius is completely uncleaned and exactly as it was found in a container in the earth. We recommend the buyer leave it this way to add a new element of interest to their collection.

Ex Forum, 2010.

[Alegandron]

6 hours ago, Roman Collector said:

OMG -- so many Gordian III coins in my collection! The most impressive are the sestertii. Here's one of my favorites.

Gordian III, AD 238-244.
Roman orichalcum sestertius, 22.88 g, 30.7 mm, 1 h.
Rome, 6th officina. 13th emission, January-February AD 244.
Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: MARS PROPVGNAT SC, Mars advancing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and shield on left arm.
Refs: RIC 332a; Cohen 157; RCV 8718; Hunter 148; Banti 52.

I particularly like the dual-portrait coins of the Black Sea region. Before his marriage to Tranquillina, his effigy was paired with that of Serapis, but after his marriage, he naturally appears with Tranquillina. Their style can be somewhat crude, but this one from Mesembria is surprisingly well-rendered. I like the Apollo reverse, too. There are a lot of interesting features on this coin for the "technical collector" which illustrate the technique of die preparation: the compass dot in the geometric center of the obverse design, the lathe dimple from using a lathe to smooth the flan before striking, and circular scratches outside the beaded border from lathe-turning. While the lathe dimple hits Gordy right in the cheek, Tranquillina's portrait is unharmed and quite attractive.

Gordian III and Tranquillina.
Roman provincial AE 25.8 mm, 11.44 g.
Thrace, Mesembria, AD 241.
Obv: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC ΑVΓ CΕΒ-ΤΡΑΝΚVΛΛΙΝ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian and draped bust of Tranquillina, wearing stephane, confronted.
Rev: ΜΕCΑΜΒΡΙΑΝΩΝ, Apollo Musagetes (leader of the muses) in long robe, standing left, holding plectrum in outstretched right hand and resting left on lyre set on column.
Refs: RPC VII.2, 1226; BMC 3.133,15; Moushmov 3998; Varbanov 4175-4176.

As you know, coins depicting Tranquillina in the Roman imperial series are very scarce and astonishingly expensive. Since I don't have that kind of disposable income, I don't have any Tranquillina coins from the Roman imperial mint. I do have this sole-portrait issue of Deultum featuring Marsyas on the reverse. I bought it at a local show from Nick at Pegasi many, many years ago. @Alegandron has one that was struck with the same obverse die but has a different reverse type.

Tranquillina AD 241-244.
Roman provincial Æ 24.1 mm, 8.06 g, 8 h.
Thrace, Deultum, AD 241-244.
Obv: SAB TRANQVILLINA AVG, diademed and draped bust, right.
Rev: COL FL PAC DEVLT, Marsyas as Silenus facing right, carrying wine skin over left shoulder and raising right arm.
Refs: RPC VII.2 1057; Moushmov 3757; Jurukova, Deultum 408, 421; Draganov, Deultum 1499–1503.

Thanks @Roman Collector. Twas a harder to get planchet, but I got her:

TRANQUILINA


RI Prv
Thrace, Deultum. 
Tranquillina. Augusta, 
CE 241-244. 
Æ 22mm 6.6 gm. 
Diademed and draped bust right / 
Hermes standing left, holding purse and caduceus. 
SNG Bulgaria 1504-8; Youroukova 400; Varbanov 2932

[Octavius]

9 hours ago, Prieure de Sion said:

The young Gordianus has a little bit the image of a boring emperor - also in relation to his coins. I find that unfair. A very interesting field of collecting. The choice and creativity of the imperial reverse may be limited. But there are so many wonderful different Gordianus portraits and also a lot of fantastic provincial coins. Since the emperor is still affordable - a much too underestimated collecting area.

 

For my favorite portraits, I'll start with the young child Caesar from 238 AD.
 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III as Caesar

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 238 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 21mm; Weight: 1.97g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Gordian III (Caesar) 1; Obverse: Bust of Gordian III, bare-headed, draped, right. The Inscription reads: M ANT GORDIANVS CAES for Marcus Antonius Gordianus Caesar; Reverse: Priestly emblems: jug between lituus and knife on the left and simpulum and sprinkler on right. The Inscription reads: PIETAS AVGG for Pietas Duorum Augustorum (Piety of the two Augusti).

 

 

I especially like the imperial provincial coinage from Antioch. These portraits are simply something very special.
 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 238/239 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 21mm; Weight: 4.17g; Mint: Antiochia ad Orontem, Syria; Reference: RIC IV Gordian III 177a; Obverse: Bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right. The Inscription reads: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus; Reverse: Aequitas, draped, standing front, head left, holding scales in extended right hand and corncuopiae in left hand. The Inscription reads: AEQVITAS AVG for Aequitas Augusti (Equity of the Augustus).

 

 

This also includes the tetradrachm portraits.

 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Tetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 242 AD; Material: Billon Silver; Diameter: 28mm; Weight: 12.19g; Mint: Antiochia ad Orontem, Syria; Reference: Prieur 293, McAlee 875, RPC VII.2 3510; Obverse: Laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front with trabea. The Inscription reads: AYTOK K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC CEB for Autokrator Kaisaros Marcos Antonios Gordiano Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus); Reverse: Eagle standing facing, with wings spread, head and tail left, on ram, with head turned back, running left under crescent. The Inscription reads: ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠA TO B for Demarchos exousia Hypatos to Beta (Invested with the Tribunician Power, Consul of the 2nd time).

 

 

And the city Roman coinages do not have to hide in their portraits either.

 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 238 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 23mm; Weight: 4.3g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Gordian III 2; Obverse: Bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right. The Inscription reads: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus; Reverse: Jupiter, nude except for cloak on shoulders, standing front, head left, holding vertical sceptre in left hand and thunderbolt in right hand over Gordian III, togate, standing left and raising right hand. The Inscription reads: IOVI CONSERVATORI for Jovi Conservatori (To Jupiter the Protector).

 

 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 240 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 22mm; Weight: 5.06g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Gordian III 34; Obverse: Bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right. Inscription: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus; Reverse: Personification of the Aequitas, draped, standing front, head left, holding scales in extended right hand and corncuopiae in left hand. Inscription: AEQVITAS AVG for Aequitas Augusti (Equity of the emperor).

 

 

Here the back is not quite as nice - but the portrait quite interesting - the "aged" Gordianus with slight cheeks and upper lips beard.

 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 241/243 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 22mm; Weight: 4.24g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Gordian III 84; Obverse: Bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right. Inscription: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG for Imperator Gordianus Pius Felix Augustus; Reverse: Jupiter, nude, standing front, head right, holding long sceptre in right hand and thunderbolt in left hand. Inscription: IOVI STATORI for Iovi Statoris (to Jupiter, the upholder - preserver).

 

 

 

And this also exists and belongs to the interesting portraits - bronzes from the province, which did not know the emperor and depicted him with heroic idealized portraits. But they had little to do with the young emperor in reality.

 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III

Bronze Medaillon of the Roman Imperial Period 238/244 AD; Material: AE; Diameter: 35mm; Weight: 22.24g; Mint: Tomis, Moesia Inferior; Reference: RPC Online VII.2 1676; Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust of Gordian III, left, seen from front, with gorgoneion on cuirass, raising right hand, in left hand holding globe. The inscription reads: ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟⳞ ΑΥΓ for Autokrator Kaisaros Marcos Antonios Gordianos Augustos (Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus); Reverse: Gordian III, laureate, riding on galloping horse right, with right hand spearing enemy on ground, left. The inscription reads: ΜΗΤΡΟ ΠΟΝΤΟΥ ΤΟΜΕΩⳞ for Metropoleon Pontoupolis Tomeon (Metropolitan Pentapolis Tomis).

 

 Your Gordian as Caesar is very impressive, but WOW! the Aequitas antoninianus with all that beautiful toning is stunning.

[Prieure de Sion]

10 minutes ago, Octavius said:

Your Gordian as Caesar is very impressive, but WOW! the Aequitas antoninianus with all that beautiful toning is stunning.

Yes was my favorite - and this toning was real. 
 

 

 

[Shea19]

I’ve always really liked the large head-style portraits of Gordy from Antioch.   I picked up a fun group lot of these from the McAlee Collection sale a couple years ago:

And here’s a tet of Gordian from Antioch (with an interesting flan shape, which I always appreciate)

Edited February 18, 2023 by Shea19

[Limes]

2 hours ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said:

I think I have only one Gordian Ant. (unphotographed), here's an uncleaned Gordian III denarius, with the original Forum description.  I purchased it for its uncleaned look, which transforms it from a ho hum coin to an interesting one.

Except for a bag of provincials, I think the vast majority of my few Gordians are Sestertii. I don't know why, but a lot of my best patinas are from Gordian.

 

 

Silver denarius, RIC IV 114, RSC IV 238, F, uncleaned as found, Rome mint, weight 2.407g, maximum diameter 19.9mm, die axis 180o, 240 A.D.; obverse IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse P M TR P III COS II P P, Apollo seated left, branch in right, resting left arm on lyre;

This denarius is completely uncleaned and exactly as it was found in a container in the earth. We recommend the buyer leave it this way to add a new element of interest to their collection.

Ex Forum, 2010.

Thats really neat! Do you also know anything about the mentioned container, or its location (where it was found)?

[AncientOne]

There are some really spectacular coins in this thread.  Here are a couple I've had for a while and a recent purchase. 

Moesia, Viminacium. Gordian III. 238-244 AD. Æ30. Year 2

 

Phrygia, Docimeium. Gordian III AE30. Athena Alkidemos.

 

Pontus, Neocaesarea. Gordian III Æ30.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Nice chunky coins and your Viminacium piece is better than mine.

[Ursus]

Below are some Gordians III's, sometimes also referred to as roaches. The first one is special because of the 1942 Helbing auction provenance:

Gordian III, Roman Empire, antoninianus, 238–239 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG; bust of Gordian III, radiate and draped, r. Rev: VIRTVS AVG; Virtus standing l., leaning on shield and holding spear. 22mm, 5.00g. Ref: RIC IV Gordian III 6. Ex Otto Helbing Nachf., München, Auction 86 (11/15/1942), lot 1758 (on ticket, in catalogue: 1757); ex AMCC 2, lot 464. 

Gordian III, Roman Empire, antoninianus, 239 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG; bust of Gordian III, radiate and draped, r. Rev: P M TR P III COS P P; Providentia standing l., holding globe and sceptre. 22mm, 4.76g. Ref: RIC IV Gordian III 18.

Gordian III, Roman Empire, AR antoninianus, 240 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG; bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: LIBERALITAS AVG II; Liberalitas, draped, standing front, head l., holding abacus in r. hand and cornucopiae in l. hand. 25 mm, 5.51g. RIC IV Gordian III 36.

Gordian III, Roman Empire, AR antoninianus, 240 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: ROMAE AETERNAE; Roma, helmeted, seated l. on shield, holding Victory in extended r. hand and spear in l. hand. 22.5mm, 4.65g. Ref: RIC IV Gordian III 70.

A denarius, which is less common than the abundant antoniniani:

Gordian III, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 240–241 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; bust of Gordian III, laureate and draped, r. Rev: P M TR P III COS P P; Gordian on horseback riding l., raising r. hand and holding spear or sceptre in l. 20mm, 2.66g. Ref: RIC IV Gordian III 81.

Reverse design based on the Hercules Farnese:

Gordian III, Roman Empire, AR antoninian, 241–243 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: VIRTVTI AVGVSTI; Hercules, nude, standing r., r. behind back and resting l. hand on club set on rock; beside club, lion-skin. 22mm, 3.49g. Ref: RIC IV Gordian III 95.

From Antioch, featuring a somewhat underwhelming 'stache:

Gordian III, Roman Empire, antoninianus, 242–244 AD, Antioch mint. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped and cuirassed, r. Rev: ORIENS AVG; Sol standing l., raising r. hand and holding globe in l. 22mm, 4.35g. Ref: RIC IV Gordian III 213.

Note the unusual reverse legend in the accusative case:

Gordian III, Roman Empire, AE sestertius, 244 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; bust of Gordian III, draped, cuirassed and laureate, r. Rev: MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM, Mars, helmeted, in military attire, hastening r., holding transverse spear in r. hand and shield in l. hand; in fields flanking, SC. 30mm, 23.58g. Ref: RIC IV Gordian III 333.

I like this one particularly because of its multicolored patina and the reverse doublestrike turning Victory into a giraffe:

Gordian III, Roman Empire, AE sestertius, 244 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; bust of Gordian III, draped and laureate, r. Rev: VICTORIA AETERNA, Victory, winged, standing l., leaning on shield and holding palm branch, captive at feet l.; in fields flanking, SC. 32mm, 19.68g. Ref: RIC IV Gordian III 338.

Edited February 18, 2023 by Ursus

[ambr0zie]

My favorite Gordian coin is, in my opinion, an excellent one - good combination of style, beauty of the portrait + very curious reverse

Thrace. Hadrianopolis. Gordian III AD 238-244.

Bronze Æ

16 mm, 2,32 g

AYT K M ANT ΓOΡΔIANOC, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from rear / AΔΡIANOΠOΛEITΩN, ostrich walking right

Varbanov 3833; RPC VII.2, 806; Jurukova, Hadrianopolis 676; Moushmov 2630A

[expat]

I have 3 which I call the good, bad and ugly. My fav is this one, the "good" one

[CPK]

2 hours ago, ambr0zie said:

My favorite Gordian coin is, in my opinion, an excellent one - good combination of style, beauty of the portrait + very curious reverse

Thrace. Hadrianopolis. Gordian III AD 238-244.

 

Bronze Æ

 

16 mm, 2,32 g

 

AYT K M ANT ΓOΡΔIANOC, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from rear / AΔΡIANOΠOΛEITΩN, ostrich walking right

Varbanov 3833; RPC VII.2, 806; Jurukova, Hadrianopolis 676; Moushmov 2630A

 

Whoa. That is wild! Never saw an ancient coin with an ostrich before!

[Severus Alexander]

I should have dropped in my Tranquillina tet:

And perhaps I'll include my wackiest Gordie, an imitation from the AK collection:

He's called "COPDIΛNVS" here, and I'm pretty sure the engraver didn't realize Diana was a female goddess. In fact it looks like the emperor on the reverse.

I like wacky portraits. Here are a few from emperors we've already covered:

A die break makes for a pretty funny Hadrian here:

 

On this next coin A. Pi is still very recognizable despite the "barbarous" engraving:

^This coin is only 1.33g and 18mm... probably a later production.

Marcus Aurelius is looking rather silly here, even moreso with his patron god Gumby on the reverse:

And I quite like this terrible/great depiction of Septimius, with curlicues apparently stapled to his cheeks and lip:

^DECAPOLIS, Petra. Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Turreted Tyche seated left on rocks, holding small stele, right hand extended, within distyle temple. Spijkerman 34 var. (a couple of letters retrograde). 

 

[kapphnwn]

Ae Sestertius of Gordian III Obv Bust right laureate draped and cuirassed seen from back. Rv Felicitas standing facing head left hold cornucopia and caduceus, RIC 328 20,40 grms 29 mm Photo by W. Hansen

Gordie Gordie Gordie there sure are a lot of excellent looking coins of this guy out there. If there was a contest for the best I sure would hate to be judge for the best coin of this guy.