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Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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Gordian II. AD 238. AR Denarius (19mm, 2.99 g, 5h). Rome mint. Struck 1-22 April. IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / VICTORIA AVGG, Victory advancing left, holding wreath in raised right hand, palm frond over left shoulder. RIC IV 2; BMCRE 28; RSC 12. Attractively toned. EF.
Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. inventory cc73180 (ND).
Gordian I and his son Gordian II share the dubious distinction of having the shortest reigns of any "legitimate" Roman emperors, together ruling a mere 22 days. Despite their brief production run, coins of Gordian I and II are notable for their excellent portraiture. The elder Gordian appears as a distinguished older gentleman with thin, hawkish features, while Gordian II is shown as a younger, plumper and prematurely balding man with a slight beard. This may indicate that official effigies of both were already at the Rome mint when their rebellion against Maximinus I broke out in Carthage, suggesting the whole episode was not as spontaneous as contemporary historians claimed.
Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. inventory cc73180 (ND).
Gordian I and his son Gordian II share the dubious distinction of having the shortest reigns of any "legitimate" Roman emperors, together ruling a mere 22 days. Despite their brief production run, coins of Gordian I and II are notable for their excellent portraiture. The elder Gordian appears as a distinguished older gentleman with thin, hawkish features, while Gordian II is shown as a younger, plumper and prematurely balding man with a slight beard. This may indicate that official effigies of both were already at the Rome mint when their rebellion against Maximinus I broke out in Carthage, suggesting the whole episode was not as spontaneous as contemporary historians claimed.