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Orbis Collectibles

RIC IV Gordian II 3

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 238

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

Maker / issuer

Rome (ancient mint)

Denarius in silver struck at Rome under Gordian II, AD 238, catalogued as RIC IV Gordian II 3. Obverse: Bust of Gordian II, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right. Reverse: Virtus, helmeted, standing left, resting right hand on shield set on ground and holding spear in left hand.

Obverse legend: IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG. Reverse legend: VIRTVS AVGG.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
4
Catalogue references
1

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

Historical context

The denarius had served as the standard Roman silver coin since its introduction during the Second Punic War around 211 BC, remaining in use until the reign of Gordian III. In AD 238, during the Year of the Six Emperors, Gordian II reigned briefly alongside his father Gordian I in a rebellion against Maximinus Thrax. His rule lasted approximately 22 days—the shortest recorded reign of any Roman emperor—ending with his death in battle outside Carthage.

Physical characteristics

Material
Silver
Manufacture
Struck
Denomination
Denarius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Issuing authority
Gordian II

Design

Obverse type
Bust of Gordian II, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right
Reverse type
Virtus, helmeted, standing left, resting right hand on shield set on ground and holding spear in left hand
Obverse legend
IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG
Reverse legend
VIRTVS AVGG

Identification

How to identify
RIC separates types by mint and officina marks, obverse legend and bust form, and reverse legend and type; check the exergue and field marks against the RIC number before accepting a match.
Type corpus record
https://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.4.gor_ii.3
Catalogue reference
RIC IV Gordian II 3
Type corpus identifier
ric.4.gor_ii.3
Source note
The type record is Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE), the American Numismatic Society's digital edition of Roman Imperial Coinage.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
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

  • Nominal weight not transcribed from a primary reference
  • Diameter and die axis not transcribed
  • Mint mark and officina detail not transcribed
  • No rights-cleared photograph identified yet
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