Numismatic

Rome Dbl Denarius Gordian III (238-244 AD) VF NGC (Colosseum)

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During a period of intense political instability in the third century, a young boy named Gordian III ascended to the throne of the Roman Empire. Only about fifteen years old when his reign began in 238 AD, this youthful ruler was the grandson of Gordian I and the nephew of Gordian II. Because of his youth, actual authority during his reign was largely held by Praetorian Prefects, including his father-in-law Timesitheus, whose daughter Tranquillina married the young emperor. Gordian III's rule ultimately ended in tragedy when he was killed, paving the way for Philip the Arab to take the imperial throne. This silver double denarius, measuring 18 millimeters in diameter, serves as a tangible artifact from this dramatic chapter of Roman history. The obverse side of the coin features a portrait bust of the young Emperor Gordian III. On the reverse, the design displays one of several traditional motifs of the era, which typically depicted Roman gods, goddesses, or personifications representing key imperial ideals. This particular specimen has survived the centuries in Very Fine condition, offering a fascinating window into the ancient world.