DI-6415 | RIC IV Gordian III (Caesar) 1
Gordiano III
Gordian III

Dynasty: Crisis of the Third Century
Emperor: Gordiano III
Authority: Balbinus||Pupieno
Date and mint: AD 238 - Rome


Obverse: Bust of Gordiano III, bare-headed, draped, right
Legend: M ANT GORDIANVS CAES

Reverse: Emblemas sacerdotales: jug between lituus and cuchillo left and simpulum and aspersor right
Legend: PIETAS AVGG

Comment: Gordian III came from an aristocratic Roman family. His grandfather Gordian I and his uncle Gordian II had briefly been emperors in AD 238 during a revolt against Maximinus Thrax. Although Gordian III was still a child when he came to power, his family connections with the Roman elite facilitated his proclamation by the Senate after the death of his relatives. This aristocratic connection was crucial to his legitimacy during the unstable Crisis of the Third Century. Gordian III became the youngest emperor in Roman history, taking office at thirteen in AD 238. His government was largely controlled by senators and by his father-in-law, the praetorian prefect. Campaigns were fought against the Persians, but his own leadership was limited by youth and inexperience. The denarius was struck in AD 238, the Year of the Six Emperors, when the Senate attempted to stabilize the Empire through a young ruler backed by the elite. The obverse, with Gordian bare-headed, emphasizes youth and accessibility. The reverse shows priestly emblems such as jug and lituus, reinforcing pietas and religious devotion; PIETAS AVGG projects stability and respect for tradition.

Provenance: Leu Numismatik (2023)
Price: 5,049 €