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NYINC Signature Sale 3044 3-4 January 2016
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Gordian III Pius (AD 238-244). AV aureus (20mm, 4.99 gm, 6h). Rome, March-May AD 240. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian right / LIBERALITAS AVG · II, Liberalitas standing left, holding coin scoop in right hand and cornucopia cradled in left arm. RIC 42. Calicó 3205. Cohen 129. Well centered and perfectly struck from fresh dies, with a sensitive portrait and detailed reverse. NGC MS 5/5 - 3/5.The six years of Gordian III were the last interlude of relative peace before the Great Anarchy engulfed the Roman Empire. He was the grandson of Gordian I and nephew of Gordian II, who were briefly emperor during the chaotic year AD 238. After their demise in April of that year, the young Gordian found himself raised to the rank of Caesar, or heir apparent, to the senatorial Emperors Balbinus and Pupeinus, who were killed by the Praetorians scarcely two months later. At age 13, Gordian III was duly saluted as emperor. Due to his youth and inexperience, he was at first dominated by an advisory board of senators, who had to walk a tightrope to avoid the fate of previous short-lived regimes. In AD 241, Gordian appointed as Praetorian Prefect the capable Timesitheus, whose daughter Tranquillina became his bride. Timesitheus became a beneficent mentor who kept Gordian's weak government on an even keel. When the Sasanian Persians under Shapur I crossed Rome's desert frontier and threatened Antioch, and the young Gordian was forced to take up arms and march east with the Legions. Gordian's army engaged Shapur at Rhesaena in Syria in won a signal victory early in AD 243. But the death of Timesitheus in the winter brought the campaign to a grinding halt. Supplies dwindled, and the new Praetorian Prefect, Philip, blamed the shortage on Gordian. Gordian offered to abdicate in Philip's favor, but Philip simply seized the throne and had Gordian quietly murdered. Sadly, his youth and gentle nature had proven unsuited to the demands of hard times.
Estimate: 10000-14000 USD
Gordian III Pius (AD 238-244). AV aureus (20mm, 4.99 gm, 6h). Rome, March-May AD 240. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian right / LIBERALITAS AVG · II, Liberalitas standing left, holding coin scoop in right hand and cornucopia cradled in left arm. RIC 42. Calicó 3205. Cohen 129. Well centered and perfectly struck from fresh dies, with a sensitive portrait and detailed reverse. NGC MS 5/5 - 3/5.The six years of Gordian III were the last interlude of relative peace before the Great Anarchy engulfed the Roman Empire. He was the grandson of Gordian I and nephew of Gordian II, who were briefly emperor during the chaotic year AD 238. After their demise in April of that year, the young Gordian found himself raised to the rank of Caesar, or heir apparent, to the senatorial Emperors Balbinus and Pupeinus, who were killed by the Praetorians scarcely two months later. At age 13, Gordian III was duly saluted as emperor. Due to his youth and inexperience, he was at first dominated by an advisory board of senators, who had to walk a tightrope to avoid the fate of previous short-lived regimes. In AD 241, Gordian appointed as Praetorian Prefect the capable Timesitheus, whose daughter Tranquillina became his bride. Timesitheus became a beneficent mentor who kept Gordian's weak government on an even keel. When the Sasanian Persians under Shapur I crossed Rome's desert frontier and threatened Antioch, and the young Gordian was forced to take up arms and march east with the Legions. Gordian's army engaged Shapur at Rhesaena in Syria in won a signal victory early in AD 243. But the death of Timesitheus in the winter brought the campaign to a grinding halt. Supplies dwindled, and the new Praetorian Prefect, Philip, blamed the shortage on Gordian. Gordian offered to abdicate in Philip's favor, but Philip simply seized the throne and had Gordian quietly murdered. Sadly, his youth and gentle nature had proven unsuited to the demands of hard times.
Estimate: 10000-14000 USD