© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Antoninianus - Gordian III PROVIDENTIA AVG; Providentia
| Silver | 5.1 g | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Gordian III (Marcus Antonius Gordianus) (238-244) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 238-244 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 5.1 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#280977 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Providentia, draped, standing left, holding globe in extended right hand and sceptre in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: PROVIDENTIA AVG
Translation:
Providentia Augusti.
Providence of the emperor (Augustus).
Comment
Mass varies: 5.034–5.222 g;Example of this type:
Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin featuring Gordian III and the goddess Providentia was issued during a time of great turmoil in the Roman Empire. Gordian III was the last Roman emperor to issue coins with the traditional Roman weight and purity standards, before the empire switched to debased currencies to pay for its military campaigns. This coin, made of silver and weighing 5.1 grams, represents a rare and valuable piece of history from a pivotal moment in the empire's decline.
