By using this site you accept the
terms of our Cookie Policy

You are in: Online Resources > Online Exhibitions > Perry the Collector

Roman copper-alloy sestertius of Gordian III, from Rome, 240

Roman sestertius, Gordian III, 240 Roman sestertius, Gordian III, 240

<- Previous | Next ->

Roman copper-alloy sestertius of Gordian III, from Rome, 240

This copper-alloy sestertius was minted at Rome in the year 240, during the reign of the emperor Gordian III (238-44). The obverse shows a bust of Gordian, draped and cuirassed and wearing laurels with the inscription 'IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG', meaning 'Emperor Gordian, pious and happy Augustus'. The reverse shows the god Apollo, seated, bare to the waist, holding a branch and resting his left elbow on a lyre. The reverse inscription is 'P M TR P III COS II P P S C', which refers to the number of times that Gordian had held the emperor's various civic offices.