Emperors of 238 ad - And a fantastic ringstone

[Orange Julius]

I just saw this ringstone on Facebook and found it really interesting due to the limited and interesting timeframe it was engraved.

From the post, “A very special red jasper: the ringstone depicts three imperial busts: Pupienus (left), Balbinus (right) and Gordian III. Pupienus and Balbinus were in mid-February 238 n. Chr. raised by senate. However, since the Roman population did not yet quite fourteen-year-old Prince Gordian III. wanted to be the Emperor, he was declared Caesar ("Junior Kaiser") a few days later (although on the 1st) March 238). As Caesar, he does not wear a laurel wreath. The ringstone is said to have been made for a high official or officer who served the three Emperors in those weeks. 99 days later, the two Upper Emperors were brutally murdered by the Praetorians in Rome and Gordian III. proclaimed to be a king (7th) June 238). Coins were minted for all three emperors during their joint rule, but none shows Pupienus, Balbinus and Gordian III. together in the picture. Thus, the ringstone reproduces a singular composition that most likely dates back to a painting template.”

* seems like the post was translated so there are some grammatical errors.

It won’t let me post the link to the post but search Facebook for the Staatliche Münzsammlung München.

Anyway… super cool. Let’s see your coins from 238ad or those shown on the ring stone!

Gordian III
Obv: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG - Radiate bust right, draped and cuirassed

Rev: VICTORIA AVG - Victory walking left, holding wreath and palm

Rome mint AD June 12, 238-Dec 238 (1st Issue, 6th officina)

RIC IViii, 5 - Cohen 357

Edited July 9, 2022 by Orange Julius
Adding flavor

[Roman Collector]

I have neither Pupienus nor Balbinus. You know how it is.

I have lots of Gordian III coins, but I'll just show this sestertius.


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.

 

[Ryro]

Here's my busted Balbinus. Thankfully my Pupienus isn't busted😜

And the little nerd himself

[DonnaML]

That is an amazing ringstone. I can't say I see a resemblance to Gordian III's portraits (other than being young), but I do recognize Pupienus and Balbinus.  I have one coin, a denarius, issued by each of those two. Each has the same reverse, depicting the  Genius of the Senate, togate, standing front, head left, holding an olive branch in his extended right hand, and a short transverse scepter in his left hand:

And here are a denarius and antoninianus from Gordian III, showing, respectively, Gordian on horseback and Apollo with his lyre on the reverses:

Finally, here are Gordian III and his wife Tranquillina, with confronted busts, on an AE 26 from Anchialus in Thrace (today's Pomorie, Buglaria), also depicting Apollo on the reverse:

Edited July 9, 2022 by DonnaML

[Spaniard]

Amazing ring Stone!

@Orange Julius..Lovely Gordian too, does look a little "Balbinish"?...

Here's mine with a much more serious looking portrait.

 

Edited July 9, 2022 by Spaniard

[Qcumbor]

Great ringstone, never seen that before

 

 

Q

[Prieure de Sion]

I like the Balbinus, Puppienus and (lovely) Gordianus Collection area... but its not possible to collect all coins.... or? 😄 

[Orange Julius]

34 minutes ago, Spaniard said:

Amazing ring Stone!

@Orange Julius..Lovely Gordian too, does look a little "Balbinish"?...

Here's mine with a much more serious looking portrait.

 

Yes mine is a very early Gordian, minted in late 238, not long after his promotion from Caesar. It’s one of my favorites as it does have that Balbinish look to it.

I’m loving the Pupienus and Balbinus coins posted above ☝🏻 !

I have a ton (maybe 50) Gordian coins but no Pupienus and Balbinus yet. 😭 What’s the going ratio for Pupies and Balbis to Gordies these days? 25/1?

 

Edited July 9, 2022 by Orange Julius
Trying to fix text formatting

[Orange Julius]

7 hours ago, Roman Collector said:

I have neither Pupienus nor Balbinus. You know how it is.

I have lots of Gordian III coins, but I'll just show this sestertius.


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.

 

That sestertius is a beauty. I like the dark uniform patina.

5 hours ago, Ryro said:

Here's my busted Balbinus. Thankfully my Pupienus isn't busted😜

And the little nerd himself

Was going to make a Taco Bell joke here but thankfully reeled myself back in. That Pupienus is a nice looking coin. That’s probably the cost/quality bullseye I’m looking to find myself!

1 hour ago, DonnaML said:

That is an amazing ringstone. I can't say I see a resemblance to Gordian III's portraits (other than being young), but I do recognize Pupienus and Balbinus.  I have one coin, a denarius, issued by each of those two. Each has the same reverse, depicting the  Genius of the Senate, togate, standing front, head left, holding an olive branch in his extended right hand, and a short transverse scepter in his left hand:

And here are a denarius and antoninianus from Gordian III, showing, respectively, Gordian on horseback and Apollo with his lyre on the reverses:

Finally, here are Gordian III and his wife Tranquillina, with confronted busts, on an AE 26 from Anchialus in Thrace (today's Pomorie, Buglaria), also depicting Apollo on the reverse:

Great coins as always Donna! I remember you getting and posting about those two denari. That Pupienus is especially a beauty. I think it’s his fabulous beard that makes his coins look so awesome looking.

52 minutes ago, Spaniard said:

Amazing ring Stone!

@Orange Julius..Lovely Gordian too, does look a little "Balbinish"?...

Here's mine with a much more serious looking portrait.

 

That’s a sweet Gordie! I like the look on Hercules' face in the reverse. My version of this coin has the worst portrait I’ve seen in a Gordian coin. It’s pretty ugly… he looks like he just woke up from a 3 day bender and is wondering what he’s done.

36 minutes ago, Qcumbor said:

Great ringstone, never seen that before

 

 

Q

Q, every time you post these coins I drool over them. When I think of Pupienus or Balbinus coins… yours are the ones that define these coins in my mind. If you ever decide to sell them, I call dibs on them.

38 minutes ago, Prieure de Sion said:

I like the Balbinus, Puppienus and (lovely) Gordianus Collection area... but its not possible to collect all coins.... or? 😄 

Oh how I wish I had the resources to collect everything I’m interested in. They say money can’t buy happiness… but it can buy a lot of sweet coins that definitely wouldn’t make me sad.

[Severus Alexander]

That ringstone is sure cool!!  I'd love to get an issue of Gordian as Caesar, but no luck yet.  I'm sure @Finn235 has one though!

Here's my first issue Rome (238), like yours:

Though I'm guessing this is later in that issue than yours, as the portrait is taking on more of that characteristic cartoonish Gordie look.  Personally I prefer the style on yours.  Great coin!

I also have a first issue Antioch dating to 238-9:

I kind of like the cruder style on these.  (They're often mistaken for Rome mint by dealers, so you can sometimes snag a bargain.)

And I recently snagged this Pupienus.  It's in line for a photo this weekend!

I like the AMOR MVTVVS legend. In actual fact there was no love lost between Balbinus the lawyer and Pupienus the general, and their bickering ultimately cost them their lives.  I like both of them, though, as they attained high office under Severus Alexander.  In fact the whole senatorial coup against Maximinus was partly motivated by revenge for SA's death.  SA ruled in cooperation with the Senate, whereas Maximinus likely loathed and despised them.

There's a great series of novels by Harry Sidebottom about this period: Iron & Rust.  (Although I must say I don't like how he just swallows Herodian's account of the end of Sev Alex's life, i.e. full of snivelling!  I'm biased though. 😄)

[Finn235]

Beautiful coins!

238 is a really tough set, but I *almost* have it completed

Maximinus' TRP IIII would have started in December 237 and ended in March 238 when the Senate declared him a public enemy in favor of the Gordians

I don't think you can attribute their coins to a particular year, but I have his son Maximus

And wife Paulina

 

Then I got this super budget (read: less than $1k) Gordian I last year

No luck with his son, sadly - he and Constantius III are the last two "official" emperors missing from my collection, except for last few puppet emperors.

My favorite - Pupienus

And Balbinus

And as @Severus Alexander correctly guessed, Gordian III as their Caesar

And I'm not sure how to differentiate between all the different emissions, but I'm pretty sure this Gordy III is very early - the bust even looks somewhat like a re-worked Balbinus

[Severus Alexander]

4 minutes ago, Finn235 said:

And I'm not sure how to differentiate between all the different emissions, but I'm pretty sure this Gordy III is very early - the bust even looks somewhat like a re-worked Balbinus

Yep, first issue.  I sold one in AMCC 3. https://www.biddr.com/auctions/amcoinscanada/browse?a=1857&l=2024152

Awesome near-set, @Finn235!!

Edited July 9, 2022 by Severus Alexander

[Octavius]

 Antoninianus of Pupienus.  I have to work on getting a Balbinus.

 

[Marsyas Mike]

1 hour ago, Finn235 said:

And I'm not sure how to differentiate between all the different emissions, but I'm pretty sure this Gordy III is very early - the bust even looks somewhat like a re-worked Balbinus

 

It does look a little like Balbinus!  I never noticed this.  The emissions thing confuses me too... Here's mine: 

Gordian III Æ Sestertius Late April-July 29, 238 A.D. Rome Mint M ANT GORDIANVS CAES, bare-headed, draped bust right / [PIET]AS AVG[G] S C in exergue, jug between lituus, secespita and patera left, simpulum and aspergillum right. RIC 3; Cohen 183; BMC 64-66.  (21.33 grams / 29 mm) eBay June 2021 Notes:  "In response to popular pressure shortly after their own elevation to imperial status, the emperors Balbinus and Pupienus adopted Gordian as Caesar.  This scarce coin was part of a limited and formal coinage produced for Gordian." Wildwinds

That's a great-looking ringstone in the OP.  I wonder if the mint workers moonlighted as jewelers on the weekends?  

 

[GregH]

I have a complete 238AD set, but it's a mishmash of denominations.

I've just taken a special photo just for this thread. In the palm of my hand i hold:
(top to bottom, left to right)

- sestertius of Maximus
- denarius of the Tobey Maguire lookalike, Gordy III
- denarius of his uncle, Gordian II
- sestertius of Paulina
- denarius of the gargantuan Mr Thrax (i believe this one was minted in the early days of his reign, because it lacks the characteristic super-chin)
- an antoninianus of the grumpy old Pupienus
- sestertius of gramps - Gordian I
- a provincial from Tarsus of the other grumpy old man, Balbinus
- Tranquillina, as she appears on a debased tetradrachm.

My goal is to replace my provincials with imperials - and also find silver/bronze companion pieces.

 

Edited July 10, 2022 by GregH

[Orange Julius]

6 hours ago, Severus Alexander said:

That ringstone is sure cool!!  I'd love to get an issue of Gordian as Caesar, but no luck yet.  I'm sure @Finn235 has one though!

Here's my first issue Rome (238), like yours:

Though I'm guessing this is later in that issue than yours, as the portrait is taking on more of that characteristic cartoonish Gordie look.  Personally I prefer the style on yours.  Great coin!

I also have a first issue Antioch dating to 238-9:

I kind of like the cruder style on these.  (They're often mistaken for Rome mint by dealers, so you can sometimes snag a bargain.)

And I recently snagged this Pupienus.  It's in line for a photo this weekend!

I like the AMOR MVTVVS legend. In actual fact there was no love lost between Balbinus the lawyer and Pupienus the general, and their bickering ultimately cost them their lives.  I like both of them, though, as they attained high office under Severus Alexander.  In fact the whole senatorial coup against Maximinus was partly motivated by revenge for SA's death.  SA ruled in cooperation with the Senate, whereas Maximinus likely loathed and despised them.

There's a great series of novels by Harry Sidebottom about this period: Iron & Rust.  (Although I must say I don't like how he just swallows Herodian's account of the end of Sev Alex's life, i.e. full of snivelling!  I'm biased though. 😄)

@Severus Alexander That's a nice VICTORIA AVG Gordie! Mine is interesting as... it's not like they didn't know what he looked like. They'd been minting coins for him as Caesar for a time and had been getting that portrait right. I'd like to know how it looks like Balbinus... maybe the Balbinus guy had to fill in for the Gordian guy after a long night at the taverns. As many Gordies as I have, I think all of them are from Rome. Seeing your coin, gives me a budget friendly target, Antioch coins! I also like that Pupienus. Seeing so many in this thread makes me feel maybe they aren't as hard to find as I'd thought. I wish there were more primary sources from the period to learn more. As far as I know, the only one we have is Herodian.

5 hours ago, Finn235 said:

Beautiful coins!

238 is a really tough set, but I *almost* have it completed

Maximinus' TRP IIII would have started in December 237 and ended in March 238 when the Senate declared him a public enemy in favor of the Gordians

I don't think you can attribute their coins to a particular year, but I have his son Maximus

And wife Paulina

 

Then I got this super budget (read: less than $1k) Gordian I last year

No luck with his son, sadly - he and Constantius III are the last two "official" emperors missing from my collection, except for last few puppet emperors.

My favorite - Pupienus

And Balbinus

And as @Severus Alexander correctly guessed, Gordian III as their Caesar

And I'm not sure how to differentiate between all the different emissions, but I'm pretty sure this Gordy III is very early - the bust even looks somewhat like a re-worked Balbinus

@Finn235 I love the diversity of your collection. You've got about everyone! That Balbinus and the Pupienus are really terrific. I hate to ask but what's the ball park price for landing the pair?

4 hours ago, Octavius said:

 Antoninianus of Pupienus.  I have to work on getting a Balbinus.

 

Great toning on that one @Octavius. You've got some wonderful coins. I was just marveling at some of your Marcus Aurelius sestertius portraits in another thread. Pupienus looks like one of those old school philosopher types. I don't think anyone else would watch but a sitcom like the 80s show "Perfect Strangers" but featuring Pupienus and Balbinus living together would be must watch TV for me.

4 hours ago, Marsyas Mike said:

It does look a little like Balbinus!  I never noticed this.  The emissions thing confuses me too... Here's mine: 

Gordian III Æ Sestertius Late April-July 29, 238 A.D. Rome Mint M ANT GORDIANVS CAES, bare-headed, draped bust right / [PIET]AS AVG[G] S C in exergue, jug between lituus, secespita and patera left, simpulum and aspergillum right. RIC 3; Cohen 183; BMC 64-66.  (21.33 grams / 29 mm) eBay June 2021 Notes:  "In response to popular pressure shortly after their own elevation to imperial status, the emperors Balbinus and Pupienus adopted Gordian as Caesar.  This scarce coin was part of a limited and formal coinage produced for Gordian." Wildwinds

That's a great-looking ringstone in the OP.  I wonder if the mint workers moonlighted as jewelers on the weekends?  

 

@Marsyas Mike That Gordian as Caesar is a find! I'd love to find one of those. I chased one but after I believed I had a shot, it skyrocketed out of reach price wise. I'm looking out and hope go get one soon. 

1 hour ago, GregH said:

I have a complete 238AD set, but it's a mishmash of denominations.

I've just taken a special photo just for this thread. In the palm of my hand i hold:
(top to bottom, left to right)

- sestertius of Maximus
- denarius of the Tobey Maguire lookalike, Gordy III
- denarius of his uncle, Gordian II
- sestertius of Paulina
- denarius of the gargantuan Mr Thrax (i believe this one was minted in the early days of his reign, because it lacks the characteristic super-chin)
- an antoninianus of the grumpy old Pupienus
- sestertius of gramps - Gordian I
- a provincial from Tarsus of the other grumpy old man, Balbinus
- Tranquillina, as she appears on a debased tetradrachm.

My goal is to replace my provincials with imperials - and also find silver/bronze companion pieces.

 

Dang @GregH, that's a really cool and eclectic mix. I like the different denominations, it gives a really interesting and varying look at a very precise period in time. I guess I didn't realize Balbinus was around long enough for many provincials to be minted. That's a really cool coin. If you get around to flipping those, I hope you list them here in the "Cabinet"!

While I don't have any of the rarer or pricer personalities of 238, I do have a few more 1st issue Gordian III coins and a nice Maximus Thrax from 237 that I guess is unphotographed. 

Gordian III - Rome - FIDES MILITVM - 238 ad - RIC IV 1

Gordian III - Rome - PROVIDENTIA AVG - 238 ad - RIC IV 4

 

Edited July 10, 2022 by Orange Julius

[GregH]

19 minutes ago, Orange Julius said:

Dang @GregH, that's a really cool and eclectic mix. I like the different denominations, it gives a really interesting and varying look at a very precise period in time. I guess I didn't realize Balbinus was around long enough for many provincials to be minted. That's a really cool coin. If you get around to flipping those, I hope you list them here in the "Cabinet"!

Oh absolutely. Anything I flip will appear in the coin cabinet. I like the idea of collectors trading directly with each other. 

Both Pupienus & Balbinus minted provincial coins in Tarsus (Cilicia) and Miletus, Ionia - as well as Alexandria, Egypt. 238AD itself would make a splendid collecting theme. 

Here’s the glamour shot of the Balbinus:

Cilicia, Tarsus: Balbinus, 238 AD. AE 36 mm, 24.31 gm. Obv: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Pupienus(?), radiate, on horseback right, casting javelin at lion leaping right beneath with head left; A in legend, M/K and G/B in fields. SNG Levante Supp. 280 (this coin); SNG France 1630.

[Jims,Coins]

- Silver Coin (AR Antoninianus) minted at Rome during the reign of GORDIAN III between July 238 - July 239 A.D. Obv. IMP.CAES.M.ANT.GORDIANVS.AVG.: rad. bust dr. and cuir. seen from the side or slightly from the back. Rev. IOVI.CONSERVATORI.: Jupiter stg. front hd. l., holding thunderbolt in r. hand over Gordian III stg. l. and vertical sceptre in l. hand. RCS #2436. RSCIV #105a. RICIV #2 DVM #19.

[Prieure de Sion]

This Gordianus III flew to me today. There is even a nice video from the seller: 

Marcus Antonius Gordianus alias Gordianus III
Silver Antoninianus, Diameter 22mm, Weight 5.06g
Obv: Bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right / IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG
Rev: Aequitas, draped, standing front, head left, holding scales in extended right hand and corncuopiae in left hand / AEQVITAS AVG

What do you think - is this the Rome or the Antiochia mint?

Rome, RIC IV Gordian III 34
http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.4.gor_iii.34 

Antiochia, RIC IV Gordian III 177
http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.4.gor_iii.177 

I can't see any difference in style between Rome and Antioch in the poor picture examples at first quick glance. I'll have to consult a few comparative images later. But maybe you can see it better.

[Qcumbor]

I'd say Rome, but can't elaborate much, other than "it's how I see it" 🙂

 

Q

[Severus Alexander]

Definitely Rome. Antioch engraving from this phase is a bit wonky, like this one:

I think you're familiar with the Antioch GIII portrait style on the tets... the denarii have a similar style.  A good way to get a bead on the style, in fact, is to browse GIII Antioch tets!

Really beautiful new coin, @Prieure de Sion!

Edited July 10, 2022 by Severus Alexander

[Prieure de Sion]

6 minutes ago, Severus Alexander said:

Definitely Rome. Antioch engraving from this phase is a bit wonky, like this one:

Ah ok, thanks for the example...

6 minutes ago, Severus Alexander said:

Really beautiful new coin, @Prieure de Sion!

It was a little auction with only 10 Ancient Greek & Rome Coins. So I think - not so many bidders far away will bid on this - because if you get only 1 piece - the shipping cost to high. So this coin would be unsold. 

I think the auction start at 19 European Time - and I am shocked, when I join the auction, they will be at Lot 150. And then I see - the auction start at 18. But then I see - hey - the coin was unsold! So I write them with email if I can the coin buy outside the auction. And yes it will works 🙂 It was Destiny ... some coins will find and wait for you 😄 

 

 

[Severus Alexander]

I managed to grab another 238 coin this morning too: this Balbinus!

Maybe this thread brought us both good luck, @Prieure de Sion! 😄 

[Prieure de Sion]

Oh. That surprised me. I just got this Gordianus III for 45 CHF at LEU. Was the last one on today - maybe everyone already fell asleep in front of the TV? 😄 

Text from the Leu Page: „Los 2606. Gordian III, 238-244. Denarius (Silver, 22 mm, 2.90 g, 6 h), Rome, summer 241. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to right, seen from behind. Rev. SALVS AVGVSTI Salus standing front, head to right, feeding serpent out of patera. Cohen 325. RIC 129A. Bright and lustrous. Struck from somewhat worn dies, otherwise,virtually as struck.“

 

[Curtisimo]

Fun thread! Here is my favorite GIII. Farnese Hercules.

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)