Gordian III AR Antoninianus, Hercules Stdg R, VF, Bonus, S 8670, 4g
Item History & Price
Greetings and welcome to my auction. Presented today is an AR Antoninianus from the time of theEmperor Gordian III Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate draped bustright Reverse: VIRTVTI AVGVSTI, Hercules standing right leaning onclub set on rock Catalogue references: RSC 404, RIC 95, Sear 8670 This coin was minted at Rome Weight: 4 grams Condition: VF ...; I havecome to believe grading borders on an art. Strictness, like taste, varies within rough estimates. I personally go for a level of detail. The fact that minting quality could and oftendid change within the same issue only makes this more variable. Some strikes are clear enough, others soft orfrom worn dies. These pictures weretaken with a Yinama digital microscope on a red background. The coin you receive will likely look atleast a little better than you see here. Simply put, I will offer my estimate expecting that you will use theimage to literally see for yourself. Offers: When makingan offer, realize that these coins were not pulled from pocket change. If reasonable, I will accept. I may choose to make a counteroffer. Consider carefully, as we both want you tohave the coin. AND YOU WILL GET A FREE COIN AT LEAST 80 YEARS OLD WITH THISPURCHASE 😊 Shipping: Free in theUnited States, Canada and Europe. About the Emperor Gordian III: The manwho would become known to history as the Emperor Gordian III was born as MarcusAntonius Gordianus. He was born on the20th day of January 225 and would live until the 11th dayof February in the year 244. His motherwas of Antonia Gordiana and his father was Junius Balbus. His mother was the daughter of the firstEmperor Gordian, and the younger sister of the second. Neither of his parents would live to see theirson achieve the Imperial rank. From theyears 238 until 244 Gordian III reigned as Emperor. He would take his name of his maternalgrandfather. GordianIII would become Emperor at the age of thirteen. Due to the emperor being so young, the actualgoverning was done through the Senate. Under their guidance he would marry Furia Sabinia Tranquillina in theyear 241. Her father was the PraetorianPrefect Timesitheus. Now thefather-in-law of Gordian III, Timesitheus would effectively be the defacto rulerof the Roman Empire. In timehis reign would be disturbed by earthquakes so destructive that entire citiescollapsed. Therewould also be wars. Shapur I of theSasanians would invade Mesopotamia. Gordian went with the armies to take backthe seized lands. The Emperor wassuccessful. Now he planned to invade thelands of the invaders. In 244 he losthis father-in-law under strange circumstances. He himself would die under circumstances mysterious in themselves. Even the fate of his body remains amystery. Some stories have him buriedpractically where he dropped in battle. Other reports claim he was brought back to Rome as the first stage ofhis deification.
