LYCIA. Limyra. Gordian III, 238-244. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 30 mm, 18.39 g, 12 h). ΑΥ Κ ΜAP ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ ϹЄ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to right, seen from behind. Rev. ΛΙΜΥΡЄ/ⲰΝ Zeus seated left, holding small Nike on globe in his right hand and short scepter in his left. RPC VII.2 online 2311 var. (differing arrangement of reverse legend). Von Aulock, Lykien, 101-2 var. (differing arrangement of reverse legend). Very rare and exceptionally well preserved, and very unusual. Light deposits and adjustment marks and with a thin scratch on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
Apart from its unusually fine state of preservation, the present coin is remarkable for an unusual technical feature: a continuous ring-shaped impression is visible on both sides, giving the piece an almost bimetallic appearance. It is unlikely to be a trace of mounting, since the ring is partly off-center and affects only portions of the outer edge. The closest parallel is provided by the provincial coins of Germanicus from Sardis that were subjected to a ring-shaped overstrike under Gaius Asinius Pollio (RPC I 2995), although no additional design elements were added to the present coin. Nor can the ring be connected with the manufacture of the flan, since it would then have been overstruck by the coin dies throughout and should also occur on other coins from Limyra. The piece therefore remains a technical enigma.