Antoninianus of Gordian III

The antoninianus of Gordian III is a Roman silver coin struck during the reign of the boy-emperor Marcus Antonius Gordianus (Gordian III), who ruled from 238 to 244 AD. The denomination, introduced by Caracalla in 215 AD, was valued at two denarii and is identified by the emperor's radiate (spiked) crown rather than the laurel wreath used on the denarius.

The piece shown here carries the standard design of the reign: a youthful radiate bust facing right on the obverse, paired with a standing deity or personification on the reverse. Coins of this type were produced in enormous numbers and are among the most frequently encountered silver coins of the mid-third century.

Gordian III came to the throne at roughly thirteen years of age in 238 AD, following a turbulent year in which several emperors rose and fell. Because of his youth, real power lay with his advisors and the Praetorian Guard, and the antoninianus became the workhorse silver coin used to pay soldiers and fund the administration.

By this period the antoninianus had largely displaced the older denarius in circulation. The coinage of Gordian III reflects the gradual debasement of Roman silver in the third century: the metal is silver but increasingly alloyed, so many surviving examples show a pale or slightly grey surface. His reign ended in 244 AD during a campaign against the Sasanian Persians, after which coinage continued under his successor Philip I.

Look first for the radiate crown on the obverse portrait, which distinguishes the antoninianus from the laurel-wreathed denarius. The bust is that of a young man facing right, usually draped and cuirassed, with an encircling Latin legend that commonly reads a form of IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG.

The reverse typically shows a single standing deity or personification such as Sol, Jupiter, Providentia, Fortuna, Laetitia, or Aequitas, identified by attributes (a globe, spear, cornucopia, or patera) and named in the surrounding legend. Typical coins measure roughly 21-24 mm in diameter and weigh about 3.5-5 grams.

The antoninianus of Gordian III is one of the most common and affordable ancient Roman silver coins. Well-worn but identifiable examples typically trade at modest prices, while sharply struck coins with clear portraits, full legends, and good silver surfaces command a premium.

Value depends heavily on condition, the clarity of the reverse type, and eye appeal rather than rarity, since most reverse types survive in quantity. Scarcer reverse legends, unusually high grade, or attractive old-cabinet toning can raise the price well above that of ordinary circulated specimens.