Gordian III, denarius, silver, reign 238-244, minted 238-244

Gordian III, denarius, silver, reign 238-244, minted 238-244, weight 3.17 g, diameter 20 mm. Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; legend IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG. Reverse: Securitas seated left holding sceptre and propping head on left hand; legend SECVRITAS PVBLICA. Strike: evenly centered with complete beaded border and consistent detail. Toning: light grey with scattered golden highlights. References: RIC IV 130; ID Number L5-66. The denarii of Gordian III were issued at the Rome mint during a phase of consolidation following the political upheavals of 238. The reverse type portraying Securitas and the legend SECVRITAS PVBLICA conveyed an imperial message of restored stability and protection for the state under the young emperor. Large emissions of silver coinage financed military operations on the eastern frontier, including campaigns against the Sasanian Persians. These issues represent the final years in which the traditional denarius retained a consistent silver standard before the antoninianus became predominant in third-century circulation.