Nikopolis ad Istrum, Gordian III., bronze coin — Serapis standing facing (CN type 15856)
Record status
Individual type · research required
Period
AD 238–244
Issuing entity
Moesia inferiorCoin in bronze struck at Nikopolis ad Istrum in Moesia inferior under Gordian III., dated AD 238–244. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 15856 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).
Obverse: Radiate bust of Gordian III, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ(W) ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ ΑVΓ. Reverse: Serapis standing facing, head left, wearing kalathos, raising right arm, holding drapery and long sceptre in left hand. Legend: VΠ ϹΑΒ ΜΟΔЄϹΤΟV ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟϹ ΙϹΤΡΟΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 13.88 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 27.9 mm (from 1 recorded specimen).
Published references cited by the corpus: Mairat and Spoerri Butcher, RPC VII 2: Roman provincial coinage. Vol. VII 2: From Gordian I to Gordian III (AD 238–244): all provinces except Asia. print and online, London 2022, nr. 1304; Linked type corpus, RPC VII.2, 1304; Linked type corpus.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 3
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 3
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Nicopolis ad Istrum was a Roman and Early Byzantine town, now located at the village of Nikyup in northern Bulgaria, which reached its zenith during the reigns of Hadrian, the Antonines, and the Severan dynasty. Gordian III served as Roman emperor from 238 to 244 after becoming the second-youngest sole emperor of the empire at age 13. This bronze coin was issued under his authority as a civic coinage of Nicopolis ad Istrum in Moesia inferior.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- bronze
- Recorded diameter
- 27.9 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
- Recorded mean weight
- 13.88 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Nikopolis ad Istrum
- Region
- Moesia inferior
- Authority type
- City
- Issuing authority
- Gordian III.
Design
- Obverse type
- Radiate bust of Gordian III, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
- Reverse type
- Serapis standing facing, head left, wearing kalathos, raising right arm, holding drapery and long sceptre in left hand.
- Obverse legend
- ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ(W) ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ ΑVΓ
- Reverse legend
- VΠ ϹΑΒ ΜΟΔЄϹΤΟV ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟϹ ΙϹΤΡΟΝ
Identification
- Period
- Roman Imperial Period
- How to identify
- Check the mint name or ethnic, the reverse type and the legend together, then compare weight and module; types from the same mint often differ only in legend arrangement, magistrate names or control marks.
- Type corpus record
- https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/15856
- Type corpus identifier
- CN type 15856
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Recorded
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- Corpus Nummorum bibliographynr. 1304
- external concordanceRPC VII.2, 1304
- external concordance
Research required
- Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution