Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3061 7-8 Jan 2018
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Gordian III (AD 238-244). AV aureus (20mm, 5.43 gm, 6h). NGC MS★ 5/5 - 4/5. Rome, ca. AD 241-243. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / AETERNITATI AVG, Sol, radiate, standing facing, head left, raising right hand and holding globe in left. RIC 97. Calicó 3186a. Scarce, lustrous, and superb. Seldom seen in this high grade!
Ex Jonathan K. Kern Collection (Heritage ANA 3033, 8 August 2014), lot 23095.
This attractive gold aureus illustrates the monetary crisis about to engulf the Roman Empire. It's weight of 5.43 grams is only 3/4 the weight of aurei issued during the Severan era, and points to the shortage of precious metals caused by a worsening spiral of inflation and debasement. Silver was also in short supply, which caused the venerable silver denarius to be driven out of circulation by its inflationary cousin, the antoninianus. Portraiture and overall workmanship were still of a high standard, however, and the youth and innocence of Gordian are quite evident in his obverse image.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 12000-16000 USD
Gordian III (AD 238-244). AV aureus (20mm, 5.43 gm, 6h). NGC MS★ 5/5 - 4/5. Rome, ca. AD 241-243. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / AETERNITATI AVG, Sol, radiate, standing facing, head left, raising right hand and holding globe in left. RIC 97. Calicó 3186a. Scarce, lustrous, and superb. Seldom seen in this high grade!
Ex Jonathan K. Kern Collection (Heritage ANA 3033, 8 August 2014), lot 23095.
This attractive gold aureus illustrates the monetary crisis about to engulf the Roman Empire. It's weight of 5.43 grams is only 3/4 the weight of aurei issued during the Severan era, and points to the shortage of precious metals caused by a worsening spiral of inflation and debasement. Silver was also in short supply, which caused the venerable silver denarius to be driven out of circulation by its inflationary cousin, the antoninianus. Portraiture and overall workmanship were still of a high standard, however, and the youth and innocence of Gordian are quite evident in his obverse image.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 12000-16000 USD