Gordian III, 238-244. Antoninianus (Silver, 21 mm, 4.39 g, 11 h), Antiochia, 239. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to right, seen from behind. Rev. P M TR P II COS P P / AVG Gordian III, veiled and togate, driving slow triumphal quadriga to left, holding patera in his right hand and short scepter in his left. Bland -. R. Bland: An imperial visit to Antioch in AD 239, in: Mélanges Amandry (2017), p. 352, 1.1 (this coin). Cohen -. Michaux 519 (this coin illustrated). RIC -. Tkalec (18 February 2002), 224 (same dies). Of the highest rarity, apparently the second known example of this historically interesting issue. The reverse struck slightly off center and with a few faint scratches, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.




Numismatic evidence suggests an otherwise unattested stay of Gordian III and his entourage in the East early in his reign. The unusual depiction of the emperor as a togate and veiled figure in a quadriga indicates that he also held his processus consularis there in 239.