Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3033 8 August 2014
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Ancients
Gordian III (AD 238-244). AV aureus (20mm, 5.43 gm, 6h). 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! NGC MS★ 5/5 - 5/5.From The Lexington Collection of Jonathan K. Kern.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.
Estimate: 10000-14000 USD
Gordian III (AD 238-244). AV aureus (20mm, 5.43 gm, 6h). 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! NGC MS★ 5/5 - 5/5.From The Lexington Collection of Jonathan K. Kern.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.
Estimate: 10000-14000 USD