Gordian III, 238-244. Antoninianus (Silver, 22 mm, 3.73 g, 6 h), Rome, 240. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to right, seen from behind. Rev. VIRTVS AVG Mars standing front, head to left, holding olive branch in his right hand and inverted spear in his left; to left, shield set on ground. Cohen 388. Michaux 361. RIC 71 corr. (reverse misdescribed as Virtus). Light doubling on the obverse and the reverse double struck, otherwise, very fine.


This is a so-called 'Kraay overstrike', in which the mint workers used two different reverse dies alternately and in rapid succession at the same anvil, accidentally striking the reverse twice with differing types.