1200
1201
Rome or Antioch? 1200. Gordian III. AD 238-244. AV Aureus (19mm, 4.39 g, 12h). Rome (or Antioch?) mint, 1st officina. 8th-11th emission, AD 240-243. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / AETER N ITATI AVG, Sol, radiate, naked except for cloak over shoulders and left arm, raising right hand and holding globe in left hand. RIC IV 97; Calicó 3186a var. (break in rev. legend); Biaggi 1352 var. (same); cf. Hunter 41. Superb EF, minor deposits, die break on reverse. Unusual portrait style. Perhaps minted at Antioch. ($7500) 1201. Gordian III. AD 238-244. AV Aureus (20mm, 4.60 g, 12h). Rome mint, 4th officina. 8th-11th emissions, late AD 240-early AD 243. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VIRTVTI AVGVSTI, the “Farnese” Hercules, naked, standing right, resting right hand on hip and holding club set on rock in left hand; lion skin beside club. RIC IV 108; Calicó 3242; Biaggi 1373-4; Hunter 69-70. Superb EF, areas of luster, traces of die rust on obverse, a few tiny deposits on reverse. ($5000)
401