Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3071 6-7 Jan 2019
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Gordian III (AD 238-244). AV aureus (21mm, 5.05 gm, 12h). NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Rome, ca. AD 241-243. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right, seen from behind / AETER-NITATI AVG, Sol, radiate, standing facing, head left, raising right hand, globe outward in left. RIC IV.II 97. Calicó 3186a. Scarce, lustrous, and superb. Seldom seen in this high grade.
This attractive gold aureus illustrates the monetary crisis about to engulf the Roman Empire. It's weight of 5.05 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: 8000-12000 USD
Gordian III (AD 238-244). AV aureus (21mm, 5.05 gm, 12h). NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Rome, ca. AD 241-243. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right, seen from behind / AETER-NITATI AVG, Sol, radiate, standing facing, head left, raising right hand, globe outward in left. RIC IV.II 97. Calicó 3186a. Scarce, lustrous, and superb. Seldom seen in this high grade.
This attractive gold aureus illustrates the monetary crisis about to engulf the Roman Empire. It's weight of 5.05 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: 8000-12000 USD