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Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus
"Descendant of the Gordians" Gordian III was the grandson of Gordian I and the nephew of Gordian II. At the age of thirteen, Gordian III, along with Balbinus, ceremonially welcomed Pupienus upon his return from Aquileia after the death of Maximinus. However, shortly thereafter, both elder emperors were killed by the Praetorians.
Around 242 CE, the emperor married Sabina Tranquillina, the daughter of his closest advisor, Gaius Timesitheus, who had been appointed Praetorian Prefect. Gordian did not forget the crime committed against his uncle and grandfather. The Legio III Augusta, stationed in Numidia, which had captured Carthage and overthrown the African Gordians, was disbanded.
Soon after, Sabinianus, the governor of the province, rebelled in Africa, but his forces were swiftly defeated by troops loyal to the emperor.
Denomination: Denarius, Ag
Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to right, seen from behind, IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG
Reverse: Salus standing front, head to right, feeding serpent out of patera, SALVS AVGVSTI
Mint: Rome, 241 A.D.
Weight: 3,10 g
Diameter: 19mm
Provenance: REX Numismatics
Reference : 35.2 RIC IV 129a, RSC 325
Collection : IMPERIUM ROMANUM 05 - Military Anarchy p.1