| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,631 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
My search for a preferred portrait of Gordian lll has been long and at times a tad frustrating. For a man-child who ruled for a scant six years, his coinage bears a wide range of representation. Some portraits bend toward realism, while others border on caricature. As I searched through literally hundreds of specimens, one thing slowly began to stand out: his apparent age. Considering the fact that Gordian lll donned the Purple as a thirteen-year-old and reigned until his death at nineteen, it is entirely understandable that his portraits would demonstrate the drastic physical changes of his teen years. I therefore chose to focus on his notable youthfulness at his elevation in 238 CE. Quickly realizing most coins depicted him looking older, I found virtually no depictions of the young emperor as one might expect a boy of thirteen. Surely there must have been an artist/die-cutter who was able to capture Gordian's extreme youth. Finally...I stumbled upon this specimen.  A sestertius, with attractive toning...and a stunningly youthful portrait. The grain and wear cannot hide the teenage chubbiness! Even the flan crack is appealing to me. Hinting at the severe earthquakes that rocked the empire during Gordian's reign. I am thrilled to become the steward of this fine piece of history! Please feel free to post your Gordian-related coins here for comparison. Obverse: bust of Gordian lll. Reverse: Victory holding wreath and palm frond. 17.55 grams. Edited by circusmax120
11/16/2022 11:34 pm
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
Nice acquisition Mike...Lovely portrait and even better that it's on a nice big bronze flan.. As you've said it's not easy to find a young looking Gordian but that was probably intentional...Who wants to be ruled by a 13 year old?... Here's my only Gordian III coin a Denarius..The baby face has disappeared.... Gordian III AR Antoninianus 23mm/4.28gr Toned.. Ob...IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate draped bust right Rev..VIRTVTI AVGVSTI, Hercules standing right having just finished a clarinet solo, in front underwear thrown by the ecstatic crowd. Rome mint: AD 241-243 (9th, 10th, and 11th Issues, 4th Officina) RIC 95, RSC 404  |
|
Valued Member
 United States
319 Posts |
Hercules clarinet solo. *shaking head* Paul...you crack me up, lil' buddy. Nice looking denarius. Love the teenage peach-fuzz!
Edited by circusmax120
11/16/2022 5:01 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
1168 Posts |
Congratulations on finally acquiring this rare young portrait type, Mike. It must have been quite a relief to find it after such a long search. Quote:
Hercules standing right having just finished a clarinet solo, in front underwear thrown by the ecstatic crowd. That reverse must be pretty rare too, Paul.  |
|
Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Leave it to Paul to show us something we can now never un-see. Man, that truly looks like a clarinet! *shaking head* Thanks, Palouche!
As for the Gordian lll: Jim...I'm not knowledgeable enough with the Gordian types to know if this minting is "rare". It is early...and the experience gained from my searching indicates the style might be uncommon (for some reason). I just don't know. The price I paid, however, does not suggest this particular issue is a rarity. Kind of puzzling.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Spain
2752 Posts |
Quote:
That reverse must be pretty rare too, Certainly is....The more common type is... Reverse..VIRTVTI AVGVSTI, Hercules standing right leaning on club set on stone and holding lion skin..  The more I look at your coin Mike the more appealing it becomes....It made me start to look into the coinage of this Emperor....A six year reign with a phenomenal amount of coinage minted making him one of the easiest/cheapest/highest quality Emperors to collect..That said his first year reign coinage 238/239AD, be it in silver or bronze showing this youthful rounded portrait, although not rare, are certainly less common. I always think of him as "pinocchio" as from early 240AD his portrait profile changes drastically becoming more elongated and pointed... ...238...  ...238-239...  ...239/240...  ...240+...    |
|
Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Excellent post, Paul. Such a wide range of interpretations spanning a time-of-life when everyone goes through a great amount of physical change. "Pinocchio" is a fair description of some of Gordian's depictions. His marble busts set a more accurate picture of the boy/man. There are some very nice coins of this emperor. Especially the larger variety. In these many months of searching, this sestertius is the only one that managed to capture Gordian as a person on the cusp of becoming a teenager. Upon whose shoulders an empire now rested. Sobering thought! Kudos to that ancient artist who so skillfully produced this image. It has the ring of truth in it.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
2503 Posts |
I wish we had a rating system for topics and posts at CCF.
If we did, this topic and it's posts would have to get 4 Stars.
A beautiful coin with comparisons and historical context, stellar photography and comic relief.
Thoroughly entertaining. Thanks for the showing and the other contributions.
(I would have rated it 5 stars if a link had been offered for counselling to help un-see the far-flung underwear.)
The Ox moves slowly, but the Earth is patient.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
HA! ttkoo, that's the spirit! Hercules would be proud!
|
|
Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
When you see an image of a coin presented by the Seller, the image is sometimes tweaked. Digitally adjusted in order to promote (or make clear) the best features of the object. Not necessarily in a deceptive way. Just an honest treatment in order to present the coin in its best light. I was certain that the super-interesting toning on this Gordian III was not going to hold up once I had the coin in-hand. Imagine my delight when I opened the packaging and saw this:   Startling! Orange and purple and various brown tones...and a curious gray-green at the flan crack. The chemistry that produced these tones must be mind-bending. Fascinating patina! Edited by circusmax120
12/02/2022 12:06 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Spain
2752 Posts |
Very nice!..
I always think the patina/toning adds to the character of the coin which it certainly does with the op.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Very true, Paul. While patina has never been a make-or-break feature for me, it certainly doesn't hurt to have an attractive toning. It does, after all, speak to the story of the coin.
I believe Gordian looks even younger in this lighting angle (from the front). Poor kid. Had to grow up reeeeally fast!
|
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 1,631 |
|
Posted 11/16/2022 4:57 pm
