Artemide Aste s.r.l.
Auction XLVIII 2 Dec 2017
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Gordian II (238 AD). AE Sestertius, Rome mint. Obv. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Rev. VIRTVS AVGG SC. Virtus standing left, holding shield set on ground in right hand and spear in left. RIC 8. C. 15. AE. g. 18.22 mm. 31.00 RR. Very rare. A remarkable exquisite example, with a splendid portrait on a very broad flan. Enchanting untouched light green patina. EF.
The son of Gordian I, Gordian II was born late in the reign of Commodus (191/2 AD) and bore the same names as his father. He possessed considerable administrative experience and was made co-emperor at the commencement of the rebellion against Maximinus. A man of culture (he reputedly possessed a library of 62,000 volumes) the younger Gordian nevertheless was addicted to the pursuit and pleasure and had numerous mistresses. When Capellianus, governor of Numidia, refused to join the rebellion and marched against Carthage at the head of a legionary force it fell to the lot of the younger Gordian to lead an undisciplined and hastility assembled rabble, comprised of local militia and armed civilians, against them. The inevitable result was a mass slaughter of the rebel force and its commander's body was never recovered. This defeat effectively ended the uprising in Africa as the elder emperor committed suicide immediately on receipt of the news.
(D.R.Sear, Roman Coins III, p.98).
The son of Gordian I, Gordian II was born late in the reign of Commodus (191/2 AD) and bore the same names as his father. He possessed considerable administrative experience and was made co-emperor at the commencement of the rebellion against Maximinus. A man of culture (he reputedly possessed a library of 62,000 volumes) the younger Gordian nevertheless was addicted to the pursuit and pleasure and had numerous mistresses. When Capellianus, governor of Numidia, refused to join the rebellion and marched against Carthage at the head of a legionary force it fell to the lot of the younger Gordian to lead an undisciplined and hastility assembled rabble, comprised of local militia and armed civilians, against them. The inevitable result was a mass slaughter of the rebel force and its commander's body was never recovered. This defeat effectively ended the uprising in Africa as the elder emperor committed suicide immediately on receipt of the news.
(D.R.Sear, Roman Coins III, p.98).