New coin and a new favorite! Gordian III sestertius

[CPK]

We often think, with good reason, of the late Julio-Claudian/Flavian/Antonine eras as representing the pinnacle of Roman Imperial numismatic portrait artistry. After all, these were the "golden years" of the Roman empire, with peace, prosperity, and relative stability.

The chaotic third century, on the other hand, was about the exact opposite: relentless barbarian incursions on the borders, never-ending political insurrection and rebellion within, and a rapidly inflating currency all combined to bring the empire nearly to its knees. And in fact only a radical restructuring of the whole system of government under Diocletian prevented its total collapse. In this environment, naturally the coinage suffered not only debasement in purity but also in quality. With millions of coins needed now to pay rebellion-prone soldiers, nobody could waste time trying to make the coins look pretty.

So that makes it all the more surprising that in fact, at least for the earlier part of the century, the artistic quality of the coins actually increased! Under Severus Alexander, for instance, one can find many coins of very high quality with beautifully rendered portraits and well-executed reverse scenes. These coins are in many cases much superior in artistry to the coinage of Marcus Aurelius or Commodus from 50 years previously.

The coin I want to show you all today was struck several years after Severus Alexander: a sestertius of Gordian III, struck within the first year or so of his reign. This is definitely one of my favorite portrait coins. In fact, it just might be my favorite portrait sestertius, period! In my opinion, this portrait is nothing behind the finest of Galba, Vespasian, or Hadrian in terms of artistic quality. One particular thing I like about this portrait is how the wear makes the laurel wreath stand out, almost like the real thing. It's one of the finest portrait coins I've seen of Gordian III and I'm delighted to have the coin in my collection!

Even though the portrait steals the show, the reverse is great too - the classic image of Victory advancing with a wreath and palm branch. It doesn't get more vanilla than that! 😄

Thanks for viewing! Feel free to post your own Gordian III portrait coins, high quality coins from this time period, or anything else relevant!

GORDIAN III, AD 238-244
AE Sestertius (32.76mm, 19.95g, 12h)
Struck AD 238-9. Rome mint
Obverse: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right
Reverse: VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing left, holding wreath in right hand and palm in left; S C across fields
References: RIC IV 258a; RCV 8742; ERIC II 329.

Dark brown patina with bronze highlights. Some scattered mineral deposits. A very sensitive and finely styled portrait of the young emperor, who would have been a mere 13 or 14 years old at the time this coin was struck.

 

A video of the coin in hand:

 

 

 

[David Atherton]

Fantastic portrait! I can certainly see why it's a new favourite!

[JAZ Numismatics]

That's one beautiful sestertius!

[Orange Julius]

I agree that your coin is beautiful and on par with or better in style than many earlier coins, and that the earlier third century had any bright points where the coinage is excellent.

My sestertius of the type is pretty rough but my antoninianus is pretty great. Check it out.

…and one taken with a ring light that makes it much cooler than it is.

Gordian III AR Antoninianus. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right / VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing left with wreath & palm. RIC 5, RSC 357.

[CPK]

35 minutes ago, David Atherton said:

Fantastic portrait! I can certainly see why it's a new favourite!

 

22 minutes ago, JAZ Numismatics said:

That's one beautiful sestertius!

Thank you both! 🙂 

 

7 minutes ago, Orange Julius said:

I agree that your coin is beautiful and on par with or better in style than many earlier coins, and that the earlier third century had any bright points where the coinage is excellent.

My sestertius of the type is pretty rough but my antoninianus is pretty great. Check it out.

…and one taken with a ring light that makes it much cooler than it is.

Gordian III AR Antoninianus. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right / VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing left with wreath & palm. RIC 5, RSC 357.

Wow! That antoninianus is simply stunning! 🤩 Not just a fabulous portrait, but a much better rendition of Victory than mine. That is a true beauty! I like how the ring light sets it off, too.

[Roman Collector]

What a handsome coin, @CPK I like sestertii of Gordian; they are artistic and affordable -- a fine combination. Here are some Gordian III sestertii in my collection. 

[CPK]

Just now, Roman Collector said:

What a handsome coin, @CPK I like sestertii of Gordian; they are artistic and affordable -- a fine combination. Here are some Gordian III sestertii in my collection. 

Indeed! A portrait sestertius of say Nero in this quality would probably be at least 10x the price. You have a very fine selection!

[Ryro]

Love it! Beautiful portrait, lovely chocolate patina, and vanilla, maybe, but captivating reverse. 

My favorite, of many, Gordy 3s:

Thrace, Hadrianopolis, Gordian III (238-244 AD), AE26, Herakles capturing Cretan Bull. 

A rare mythological subject, the seventh labour of Herakles. The Cretan Bull was the same bull which Pasiphaë fell in love with, and it became the father of the Minotaur. 

VF, somewhat rough surfaces with irregular patination. Rare. 

Varbanov 3706

Purchased from Bermonsey Coins Ltd Oct 2023

Here are a couple favorite chocolate patinated coins of mine:

Edited December 17, 2024 by Ryro

[CPK]

8 hours ago, Ryro said:

Love it! Beautiful portrait, lovely chocolate patina, and vanilla, maybe, but captivating reverse. 

My favorite, of many, Gordy 3s:

Thrace, Hadrianopolis, Gordian III (238-244 AD), AE26, Herakles capturing Cretan Bull. 

A rare mythological subject, the seventh labour of Herakles. The Cretan Bull was the same bull which Pasiphaë fell in love with, and it became the father of the Minotaur. 

VF, somewhat rough surfaces with irregular patination. Rare. 

Varbanov 3706

Purchased from Bermonsey Coins Ltd Oct 2023

Here are a couple favorite chocolate patinated coins of mine:

That's an awesome provincial! And those sestertii almost look good enough to eat. 😉

[ambr0zie]

That is indeed a great sestertius. I think the style and artistry are better than the average 3rd century. 

But my favorite Gordian remains a provincial 

16 mm, 2,32 g.
Thrace, Hadrianopolis. Gordian III 238-244. Ӕ.
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.

[CPK]

25 minutes ago, ambr0zie said:

That is indeed a great sestertius. I think the style and artistry are better than the average 3rd century. 

But my favorite Gordian remains a provincial 

16 mm, 2,32 g.
Thrace, Hadrianopolis. Gordian III 238-244. Ӕ.
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.

Thanks Ambrozie! I love that type. 😉 

[Mucius Scaevola]

That's the perfect style for this type. same for the patina. Great!

[Sebastian]

A beautiful specimen, with a very elegant patina. A wonderful portrait. Looking at this coin, I wonder why I didn't become a lover of bronzes, but... you can't have everything. Congratulations!

 

[singig]

Excelent portrait !

One of my best Gordian III portraits  , the coin is form a french hoard, I think I still have the certificate. 
Gordian III, as Augustus, AR Antoninianus. 238-239 AD. RIC 1[aug]
IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. /
FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing left, holding standard and sceptre.

[CPK]

13 hours ago, Mucius Scaevola said:

That's the perfect style for this type. same for the patina. Great!

 

2 hours ago, Sebastian said:

A beautiful specimen, with a very elegant patina. A wonderful portrait. Looking at this coin, I wonder why I didn't become a lover of bronzes, but... you can't have everything. Congratulations!

 

Thank you both! 🙂 

5 minutes ago, singig said:

Excelent portrait !

One of my best Gordian III portraits  , the coin is form a french hoard, I think I still have the certificate. 
Gordian III, as Augustus, AR Antoninianus. 238-239 AD. RIC 1[aug]
IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. /
FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing left, holding standard and sceptre.

That is a great-looking coin! 👍

[DonnaML]

That's a very beautiful sestertius, @CPK.

Here is my one Gordian III sestertius, together with a few other coins of his that I particularly like.

Gordian III AE (Orichalcum) Sestertius, AD 238-239, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVUS / Rev. Pax standing front, head left, holding branch in her right hand and transverse scepter in her left, PAX AVGVSTI; S – C across fields.  30 mm., 18.37 g., 12 h. RIC IV 256a, Sear RCV III 8721, Cohen 176. Purchased from Leu Numismatik AG, Winterthur, Switzerland, Web Auction 22, 21 Aug. 2022, Lot 185, ex Collection of Dr. Max Blaschegg (1930-2021) (Austria & Switzerland) and that of his father, Dr. Karl Blaschegg (1892-1951) (Austria) (see https://coinsweekly.com/whoswho-sammler/blaschegg-dr-med-max-1930-2021/) (with collector’s ticket stating “von Vater,” so acquired before 1951). Leu description notes “light doubling on reverse.”

Gordian III billon Tetradrachm, Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch Mint, A.D. 238-240. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC CЄΒ / Rev. Eagle with spread wings standing facing, head left, holding wreath in beak, tail to left, ΔΗΜΑΡ – Χ ƐΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ [TR. POT.]; in exergue, S C [with minor die break obscuring “C”]. McAlee 860, Group I(a) (p. 320) (obv. die match with specimen 860/2, ill. p. 321) [Richard McAlee, The Coins of Roman Antioch (2007)]; Prieur 282 [Michel and Karin Prieur, Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms (London, 2000)]; RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Online VII.2 3488 (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/7.2/3488); BMC 20 Syria 494 p. 211 (ill. Pl. xxv.2) [Warwick Wroth, A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 20, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Syria (London, 1899)].  26 mm., 11.54 g., 7 hr. Purchased from Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 223rd Buy or Bid Sale, 20 Apr. 2023, Lot 395, from Mark Gibbons Collection; ex Leu Numismatik Web Auction 17, 15 Aug 2021, Lot 1897 (Leu ticket enclosed).* (Video of coin at https://www.hjbltd.com/#!/inventory/item-detail/ancient-coins/100412?fromBbs=223rd Buy Or Bid Sale ).** [Footnotes omitted.]

Gordian III, AE 26x28 mm., AD 238-244, Thrace, Hadrianopolis (now Edirne, Turkey). Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right [small planchet defect on cheek], seen from rear, AVT K M ANT – ΓΟPΔIANOC AVΓ (AVΓ ligate) / Rev. Helios, radiate, standing facing, head left, nude apart from cloak falling from left shoulder, raising right hand, and holding globe and whip in left hand, AΔPIANO – Π – OΛEITΩN. 26x28 mm., 9.56 g. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Online VII.2 708 (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/7.2/708) [Specimen 20 is this coin, used as “plate coin” for type]; Varbanov II 3793 [Ivan Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins And Their Values, Vol. II, Thrace (from Abdera to Pautalia) (English Edition) (Bourgas, Bulgaria 2005)]; Jurukova 479 (die combination 249/497=465, a new combination) [Y. Jurukova, The Coinage of the Towns in Moesia Inferior and Thrace, 2nd-3rd centuries AD: Hadrianopolis (Sophia 1987)].  Purchased from Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 223rd Buy or Bid Sale, 20 Apr. 2023, Lot 397, from Mark Gibbons Collection; ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Online Auction 271, 20 May, 2020, Lot 257. (Video of coin at https://www.hjbltd.com/#!/inventory/item-detail/ancient-coins/100346?fromBbs=223rd Buy Or Bid Sale.)* [Footnote omitted.]

Gordian III with wife Tranquillina, AE 26 mm., 241-244 AD, Thracia, Anchialus [Pomorie, Bulgaria]. Obv. Confronted busts of Gordian III right, laureate, draped and cuirassed, and Tranquillina left, draped and wearing stephane; ΑVT Κ M ANT / ΓOPΔIANOC AVΓ clockwise around; CEB TPAN // KVΛΛINA in exergue; border of dots/ Rev. Apollo standing left, holding patera in right hand; left arm resting on column; ΟΥΛΠΙΑΝωΝ / ΑΓXΙΑΛEωΝ clockwise around; border of dots. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Online VII.2 48961; Moushmov 2939 [H. Moushmov, Ancient Coins of the Balkan Peninsula (1912)], Varbanov II 668 [Ivan Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins And Their Values, Vol. II, Thrace (from Abdera to Pautalia) (English Edition) (Bourgas, Bulgaria 2005)], AMNG II 656 [F. Münzer & M. Strack, Die antiken Münzen von Thrakien, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands Vol. II (Berlin, 1912)]. 26 mm., 11.91 g.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

It's a very nice coin, a splendid addition to the collection.

While I have only two Gordy Ant's, I have a decent number of sestertii, and for whatever reason his AE's tend to have some great patinas.

[CPK]

9 hours ago, DonnaML said:

That's a very beautiful sestertius, @CPK.

Here is my one Gordian III sestertius, together with a few other coins of his that I particularly like.

Gordian III AE (Orichalcum) Sestertius, AD 238-239, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVUS / Rev. Pax standing front, head left, holding branch in her right hand and transverse scepter in her left, PAX AVGVSTI; S – C across fields.  30 mm., 18.37 g., 12 h. RIC IV 256a, Sear RCV III 8721, Cohen 176. Purchased from Leu Numismatik AG, Winterthur, Switzerland, Web Auction 22, 21 Aug. 2022, Lot 185, ex Collection of Dr. Max Blaschegg (1930-2021) (Austria & Switzerland) and that of his father, Dr. Karl Blaschegg (1892-1951) (Austria) (see https://coinsweekly.com/whoswho-sammler/blaschegg-dr-med-max-1930-2021/) (with collector’s ticket stating “von Vater,” so acquired before 1951). Leu description notes “light doubling on reverse.”

Gordian III billon Tetradrachm, Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch Mint, A.D. 238-240. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC CЄΒ / Rev. Eagle with spread wings standing facing, head left, holding wreath in beak, tail to left, ΔΗΜΑΡ – Χ ƐΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ [TR. POT.]; in exergue, S C [with minor die break obscuring “C”]. McAlee 860, Group I(a) (p. 320) (obv. die match with specimen 860/2, ill. p. 321) [Richard McAlee, The Coins of Roman Antioch (2007)]; Prieur 282 [Michel and Karin Prieur, Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms (London, 2000)]; RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Online VII.2 3488 (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/7.2/3488); BMC 20 Syria 494 p. 211 (ill. Pl. xxv.2) [Warwick Wroth, A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 20, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Syria (London, 1899)].  26 mm., 11.54 g., 7 hr. Purchased from Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 223rd Buy or Bid Sale, 20 Apr. 2023, Lot 395, from Mark Gibbons Collection; ex Leu Numismatik Web Auction 17, 15 Aug 2021, Lot 1897 (Leu ticket enclosed).* (Video of coin at https://www.hjbltd.com/#!/inventory/item-detail/ancient-coins/100412?fromBbs=223rd Buy Or Bid Sale ).** [Footnotes omitted.]

Gordian III, AE 26x28 mm., AD 238-244, Thrace, Hadrianopolis (now Edirne, Turkey). Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right [small planchet defect on cheek], seen from rear, AVT K M ANT – ΓΟPΔIANOC AVΓ (AVΓ ligate) / Rev. Helios, radiate, standing facing, head left, nude apart from cloak falling from left shoulder, raising right hand, and holding globe and whip in left hand, AΔPIANO – Π – OΛEITΩN. 26x28 mm., 9.56 g. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Online VII.2 708 (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/7.2/708) [Specimen 20 is this coin, used as “plate coin” for type]; Varbanov II 3793 [Ivan Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins And Their Values, Vol. II, Thrace (from Abdera to Pautalia) (English Edition) (Bourgas, Bulgaria 2005)]; Jurukova 479 (die combination 249/497=465, a new combination) [Y. Jurukova, The Coinage of the Towns in Moesia Inferior and Thrace, 2nd-3rd centuries AD: Hadrianopolis (Sophia 1987)].  Purchased from Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 223rd Buy or Bid Sale, 20 Apr. 2023, Lot 397, from Mark Gibbons Collection; ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Online Auction 271, 20 May, 2020, Lot 257. (Video of coin at https://www.hjbltd.com/#!/inventory/item-detail/ancient-coins/100346?fromBbs=223rd Buy Or Bid Sale.)* [Footnote omitted.]

Gordian III with wife Tranquillina, AE 26 mm., 241-244 AD, Thracia, Anchialus [Pomorie, Bulgaria]. Obv. Confronted busts of Gordian III right, laureate, draped and cuirassed, and Tranquillina left, draped and wearing stephane; ΑVT Κ M ANT / ΓOPΔIANOC AVΓ clockwise around; CEB TPAN // KVΛΛINA in exergue; border of dots/ Rev. Apollo standing left, holding patera in right hand; left arm resting on column; ΟΥΛΠΙΑΝωΝ / ΑΓXΙΑΛEωΝ clockwise around; border of dots. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Online VII.2 48961; Moushmov 2939 [H. Moushmov, Ancient Coins of the Balkan Peninsula (1912)], Varbanov II 668 [Ivan Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins And Their Values, Vol. II, Thrace (from Abdera to Pautalia) (English Edition) (Bourgas, Bulgaria 2005)], AMNG II 656 [F. Münzer & M. Strack, Die antiken Münzen von Thrakien, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands Vol. II (Berlin, 1912)]. 26 mm., 11.91 g.

Lovely sestertius with a great provenance! The provincials are very nice too. There's a lot of variety to be had with Gordian III! 🙂 

8 hours ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said:

It's a very nice coin, a splendid addition to the collection.

While I have only two Gordy Ant's, I have a decent number of sestertii, and for whatever reason his AE's tend to have some great patinas.

A choice specimen, with a beautiful patina! 👍

[Qcumbor]

Beautiful portrait indeed @CPK

Two nicely rendered portraits of the dude on an antoninianus and a denarius

Q

[CPK]

4 hours ago, Qcumbor said:

Beautiful portrait indeed @CPK

Two nicely rendered portraits of the dude on an antoninianus and a denarius

Q

Thanks Q! Those are great coins. I like the difference in the styles, the top seems more mature and the bottom a younger style. Very sharp!

[Al Kowsky]

Pictured below is my only Gordian III sestertius, followed by my favorite Roman provincial coin of Gordian III 😊.

Gordian III, struck AD 239, Rome mint. Reverse: Liberalitas. AE 20.63 gm, 31 mm, 11 h. RIC IV.III 269a.

 

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Great coin!

[Ursus]

Lovely coin!

I have two sestertii of Gordian III – and just as you, I have the impression that 3rd century large bronzes tend to be underappreciated by most collectors.

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.

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.

[Qcumbor]

6 hours ago, Ursus said:

... and just as you, I have the impression that 3rd century large bronzes tend to be underappreciated by most collectors

Agreed :

Q

[CPK]

23 hours ago, Al Kowsky said:

Pictured below is my only Gordian III sestertius, followed by my favorite Roman provincial coin of Gordian III 😊.

Gordian III, struck AD 239, Rome mint. Reverse: Liberalitas. AE 20.63 gm, 31 mm, 11 h. RIC IV.III 269a.

 

Those are beautiful! Especially the provincial...very detailed reverse scene!

 

11 hours ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said:

Great coin!

Thanks! 🙂 

 

10 hours ago, Ursus said:

Lovely coin!

I have two sestertii of Gordian III – and just as you, I have the impression that 3rd century large bronzes tend to be underappreciated by most collectors.

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.

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.

The nice thing with the later bronzes is that you get all (or most) of the artistry at a fraction of the price. Nice coins!

 

3 hours ago, Qcumbor said:

Agreed :

Q

Wow, that is an impressive lineup! 🤩