Gordian III, as Caesar, 238. Denarius (Silver, 21 mm, 3.46 g, 6 h), Rome, circa April-June 238. M ANT GORDIANVS CAES Bare-headed and draped bust of Gordian III to right, seen from behind. Rev. PIETAS AVGG Lituus, knife, jug, simpulum and aspergillum. BMC 62. Cohen 182. RIC 1. Lustrous and with a magnificent portrait of the child emperor. Minor flan fault on the reverse, otherwise, virtually as struck.



Gordian III, grandson of Gordian I, was raised to the rank of Caesar in 238 under the joint emperors Pupienus and Balbinus, at the age of only thirteen. His elevation reflected the extraordinary popularity of the Gordian family: faced with popular demands for the imperial government to remain associated with the Gordians, Pupienus and Balbinus elevated the young prince to the Caesarship.