© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
As - Gordian III VIRTVS AVGVSTI S C; Victory and Virtus
| Bronze | 9.4 g | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Gordian III (Marcus Antonius Gordianus) (238-244) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 241-244 |
| Value | As (1⁄32) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 9.4 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#281163 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Gordian III, in military attire, seated left on cuirass, holding spear and being crowned by Victory, winged, draped, holding palm in left hand; in front, Virtus, helmeted, in military attire, presenting branch; in centre, standards.
Script: Latin
Lettering: VIRTVS AVGVSTI S C
Translation:
Virtus Augusti. Senatus Consultum.
Courage of the emperor. Decree of the senate.
Comment
Mass varies: 9.31–9.49 g;Example of this type:
Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features the image of Victory (VIRTVS) on one side and Virtus (VIRTUS) on the other, symbolizing the dual nature of the Roman Empire's ideology, which valued both military conquest and moral integrity.
