SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch (?). Gordian III, 238-244. Tetradrachm (Billon, 27 mm, 10.60 g, 6 h), 240. ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC CЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to right, seen from behind. Rev. ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞΟΥCΙΑC / S C Eagle with spread wings standing facing, head to left and holding wreath in beak. Bland, Coinage 4. McAlee 860. Prieur 282. RPC VII.2, 3488. An interesting example with a portrait of very unusual style. Minor marks and with very light doubling on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.



The portrait style on this unusual piece closely resembles certain silver and bronze issues of Gordian from Caesarea in Cappadocia. According to a theory advanced by R. Bland, the die engravers from Antioch were transferred to Caesarea, as the silver coinage produced there temporarily supplanted that of the Syrian metropolis. It is also conceivable, however, that Caesarea may initially have struck tetradrachms in the Antiochene style before commencing the production of its own denominations - tridrachms, didrachms, drachms, and bronze issues.