Smyrna, Gordian III., 4 unit — Amazon of Smyrna and Tyche of Perinthus (CN type 3411)
Record status
Individual type · research required
Period
AD 238–244
Issuing entity
Roman Empire4 unit in bronze struck at Smyrna 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 3411 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: league).
Obverse: Laureate bust of Gordian III, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ ΑVΓ. Reverse: Amazon of Smyrna and Tyche of Perinthus, clasping right hands; to left, Amazon of Smyrna advancing right, holding a double axe; to right Tyche of Perinthus, standing left, holding rudder in left arm; inbetween, two prows. Legend: ϹΜVΡΝΑΙ ΠЄΡΙΝΘΙ ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑ ЄΠ ΜЄΝЄΚΛЄΟVϹ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 9.49 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 29–31 mm (from 2 recorded specimens).
Published references cited by the corpus: Schönert, Die Münzprägung von Perinthos, Berlin 1965, p. 270, nr. 918, pl. 57; Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values III Band 3, Thrace (from Perinthus to Trajanopolis), 2007, p. 77, nr. 561.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 4
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 2
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This bronze coin was struck between AD 238 and 244 under the Roman emperor Gordian III, who reigned from 238 to 244 after becoming sole emperor of the Roman Empire at the age of 13. Minted at Smyrna, an ancient Greek city on the Aegean coast of Anatolia that expanded significantly under the Roman Empire, the piece marks an alliance involving Perinthus, a flourishing city of ancient Thrace situated on the Propontis.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- bronze
- Denomination
- 4 unit
- Recorded diameter
- 29–31 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
- Recorded mean weight
- 9.49 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Smyrna
- Authority type
- League
- Issuing authority
- Gordian III.
Design
- Obverse type
- Laureate bust of Gordian III, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
- Reverse type
- Amazon of Smyrna and Tyche of Perinthus, clasping right hands; to left, Amazon of Smyrna advancing right, holding a double axe; to right Tyche of Perinthus, standing left, holding rudder in left arm; inbetween, two prows.
- Obverse legend
- ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ ΑVΓ
- Reverse legend
- ϹΜVΡΝΑΙ ΠЄΡΙΝΘΙ ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑ ЄΠ ΜЄΝЄΚΛЄΟVϹ
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/3411
- Type corpus identifier
- CN type 3411
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- 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 bibliographyp. 270, nr. 918, pl. 57
- Corpus Nummorum bibliographyp. 77, nr. 561
Research required
- Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution