© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Aureus - Gordian III P M TR P II COS P P; Jupiter
239 year| Gold | 4.3 g | 20 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Gordian III (Marcus Antonius Gordianus) (238-244) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 239 |
| Value | Aureus (25⁄2) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 4.3 g |
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#280749 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Jupiter, nude except for cloak on shoulders, standing front, head left, holding vertical sceptre in left hand and thunderbolt in right hand over Gordian III, togate, standing left and raising right hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: P M TR P II COS P P
Unabridged legend: Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate Secunda, Consul, Pater Patriae
Translation: High priest, holder of tribunician power for the second time, consul, father of the nation
Comment
Example of this type:Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aureus - Gordian III coin is that it features an image of Jupiter, the Roman god of thunder, on the reverse side. This suggests that Gordian III, the Roman emperor who issued the coin, may have been attempting to associate himself with the powerful deity and convey a sense of divine authority.
