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Orbis Collectibles

Germe, Gordian III., bronze coin — Heracles standing right (CN type 3697)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. AD 241–244

Issuing entity

Mysia

Coin in bronze struck at Germe in Mysia under Gordian III., dated c. AD 241–244. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 3697 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Gordian III, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ. Reverse: Heracles standing right, left arm resting on club, sleft arm on hip, lion-skin on left shoulder; in front, eagle seated on rock, at his feet, Telephos on doe. Legend: [ΕΠΙ Μ] ΑVΡ ΝΑΙΒΙΑΝΟV Α ΑΡ[Χ..] ΤΟ [Β?] [ΓΕΡΜΗΝΩΝ?]. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 29.09 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 37 mm (from 1 recorded specimen).

Published references cited by the corpus: Spoerri Butcher et al., RPC VII 1: Roman provincial coinage. Vol. VII 1: De Gordien Ier à Gordien III (238-244 après J.-C.). Province d'Asie, London: Paris 2006, p. 135, nr. 133; Ehling, Die Münzprägung der mysischen Stadt Germe in der römischen Kaiserzeit, Bonn 2001, p. 157, nr. 264, annot. 243 n. Chr.; Ehling, Die Münzprägung der mysischen Stadt Germe in der römischen Kaiserzeit, Bonn 2001, p. 157, nr. 264.1; Linked type corpus, RPC VII.1, 133.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
4

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Germe, also known as Germa or Hiera Germe, was a town of ancient Mysia situated between the rivers Macestus and Rhyndacus. It was active as an issuing civic authority during the Roman Imperial Period, including under the reign of Gordian III (Marcus Antonius Gordianus). Gordian III served as Roman emperor from 238 until his death around February 244, having acceded to sole rule at the age of 13.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
37 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
29.09 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Germe
Region
Mysia
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Gordian III.

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of Gordian III, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
Reverse type
Heracles standing right, left arm resting on club, sleft arm on hip, lion-skin on left shoulder; in front, eagle seated on rock, at his feet, Telephos on doe.
Obverse legend
ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ
Reverse legend
[ΕΠΙ Μ] ΑVΡ ΝΑΙΒΙΑΝΟV Α ΑΡ[Χ ...] ΤΟ [Β?] [ΓΕΡΜΗΝΩΝ?]

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/3697
Type corpus identifier
CN type 3697

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

Research required

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