Gordian III AE As (VIRTVS AVGVSTI, RIC IV 326)

GORDIAN III, AD 238-244
AE As (25.10mm, 8.47g, 12h)
Struck AD 242/3. Rome mint
Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate and draped bust of Gordian III right
Reverse: VIRTVS AVGVSTI, Gordian, in military attire, seated left on cuirass, holding spear, crowned by Victory standing left
behind him and receiving branch from Mars or Virtus standing right before; two standards in background, S C in exergue
References: RIC IV 326 (R2), RCV 8809

A very rare type, possibly struck in anticipation of Gordian's successful campaign against the Sassanid empire and the defeat of Shapur I at the Battle of Resaena in 243.

Sammlung : Roman Imperial - the Military Anarchy