Gordian I, 238, Denarius

Gordian I, denarius, AR, AD 238, Rome, 2.31 g, 20 mm. Obv: IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG; laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: ROMAE AETERNAE; Roma seated left on shield, holding Victory in right hand and scepter in left; another shield at side. Even, centrally aligned strike with complete legends; light die wear typical for the issue; minor surface marks consistent with brief and hurried production. RIC IV Gordian I 4. Struck during the two- to three-week joint reign of Gordian I and Gordian II in AD 238, this denarius belongs to one of the shortest and scarcest imperial silver series of the third century. Issued at Rome following senatorial recognition of the African emperors, the ROMAE AETERNAE type underscores the Senate’s attempt to legitimize their rule through traditional personifications, even as the revolt collapsed with the death of Gordian II and Gordian I’s subsequent suicide, precipitating the “Year of the Six Emperors.”