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Title	Rome, Gordian III, AE Sestertius, 238-244 AD
Obverse	Laureate Bust
Reverse	Emperor Standing, Holding a Spear
Type/Denomination	AE Sestertius
Weight	17.64 grams
Origin	Rome
Period	238-244 AD
Description	This bronze sestertius was minted during the reign of Gordian III (238-244 AD). The obverse bears a laureate bust of the emperor facing right, and the reverse bears an image of the emperor standing and holding a spear. Gordian III's grandfather and uncle (Gordian I and Gordian II respectively) led a rebellion in Africa in 238 AD against the emperor, Maximinus Thrax. The revolt was put down, and some senators made Pupienus and Balbinus the new co-emperors. This choice was not popular, however, and Gordian III, at the age of thirteen, became the new emperor. Relatively little information is known about the reign of Gordian III. He was involved in conflicts with the Sassanian emperor, Shapur I, and he died during a campaign against the Sassanians. The cause of his death is disputed, but several sources credit his death to the treachery of his successor, M. Julius Philippus.
Publisher	Hillsdale College
Donor	Alwin C. Carus
Collection	Ancient
Accession Number	20051164
Catalog Number	RIC 307a

Rome, Gordian III, AE Sestertius, 238-244 AD

Description