Gordian III AR Antoninianus (PAX AVGVSTI, RIC IV.3 3)

GORDIAN III, AD 238-244
AR Antoninianus (21.51mm, 3.93g, 7h)
Struck AD 238-9. Rome mint
Obverse: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right
Reverse: PAX AVGVSTI, Pax, draped, standing left, holding olive branch in right hand and transverse scepter in left
References: RIC IV.3 3; RCV 8627; ERIC II 138

A superb specimen, well struck and lightly toned with bright, lustrous surfaces. An exquisitely fine portrait, struck in high relief. This coin was one of Gordian III’s first issues as Augustus, struck less than a year into his reign. He succeeded the two failed Senatorial candidates Pupienus and Balbinus at the age of thirteen, thus becoming the youngest sole emperor in Rome’s history.

Collection : Roman Imperial - the Military Anarchy