Gordian III, 238-244. Antoninianus (Silver, 22 mm, 4.49 g, 12 h), Antiochia, 239. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG Radiate and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to left, seen from behind (?). Rev. P M TR P II COS P P Providentia standing front, head to left, holding globe in her right hand and transverse scepter in her left. Bland, Coinage, 70. Cohen -. Michaux 540. RIC 172b. Very rare. An exceptional, lustrous piece, with an extremely unusual bust type and an excellent portrait. Very minor deposits on the edge and the reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, good extremely fine.


Given the appearance of a light fold of drapery on the left and the difference in the rendering of the 'shoulders' – the one on the left being armored, the one on the right covered with the usual pteryges – the traditional interpretation of this extremely unusual bust type as showing the emperor from behind requires quite some perspectival imagination. A more elegant solution would be to view it as seen from front, with a shield being placed in front of the chest. However, this would be without parallel, and we have therefore opted for the traditional description, albeit with a question mark.