Gordian III Antoninianus, RIC IV Gordian III 28

Monetary Context and the Antoninianus

When Gordian III was elevated to the rank of Augustus in 238 AD at the age of thirteen, the Roman monetary system was undergoing rapid transformation. The silver antoninianus, initially created by Caracalla in 215 AD as a nominal two-denarius piece, had been discontinued under Severus Alexander. However, the political crisis of 238 AD forced Balbinus and Pupienus to resume massive production of the radiate denomination to pay military donatives and urban troops. Gordian III inherited this monetary framework and accelerated the trend, making the antoninianus the predominant silver denomination of the empire while marginalizing the traditional denarius to a secondary role. Although theoretically tariffed at two denarii, the antoninianus contained only approximately 1.5 times the silver weight of a denarius, generating a substantial fiscal premium for the imperial treasury. Metallurgical analyses indicate that during the early reign of Gordian III in 239 AD, the antoninianus maintained an average silver purity of roughly 40 to 45 percent, alloyed predominantly with copper. The production of RIC IV Gordian III 28 in 239 AD exemplifies this stabilized yet debased currency regime, providing uniform coin supplies to fulfill state obligations.

Mint Organization and Production at Rome

The entire attested output of RIC IV Gordian III 28 was produced at the imperial mint in Rome. During Gordian III's reign, the Rome mint was organized into six distinct operational workshops or officinae, which divided typological production systematically to maintain high output. Although workshop marks did not explicitly appear on reverse fields during this stage of third-century coinage, numismatic analysis of die links, style, and issue sequences indicates that dated imperial titulature types were assigned to specific workshops alongside personifications such as Victoria, Providentia, and Fides. The production of RIC IV Gordian III 28 required large batches of prepared cast flans hammered between hand-engraved bronze dies. The die axis for this issue predominantly settles at roughly 12 o'clock or 6 o'clock, reflecting careful manual alignment by mint workers. Individual specimen weights in this series generally range from 3.5 to 4.5 grams with an average standard near 4.0 grams, though flan irregularities and minor clipping across circulation lead to noticeable weight variations.

Obverse Portraiture and Attributes

The obverse of RIC IV Gordian III 28 presents a right-facing bust of the emperor wearing a radiate crown, draped, and cuirassed. The portrait captures the characteristic youthful features of Gordian III during the second year of his reign, showing soft facial contours, a slightly rounded jawline, and short-cropped hair beneath the spicate crown. The radiate crown served an essential denominational purpose, functioning as the unambiguous visual symbol of the double denomination in Roman silver and bronze, contrasting with the laureate wreath reserved for the single denarius. Engravers depicted the emperor in combined military dress, showing the folds of the paludamentum (military cloak) gathered over a decorated breastplate, visible at the shoulder and throat. Minor die variations exist among different die cutters, manifesting in slight shifts in the angle of the bust, the length of the crown rays, or the detailed texture of the cuirass pteruges.

Reverse Iconography of Mars

The reverse of the coin depicts Mars, the Roman god of war, standing in military attire facing front with his head turned toward the right. He is shown wearing a crested helmet and armor, with his right foot slightly drawn back to the left, imparting a dynamic sense of posture. In his right hand, Mars holds a transverse spear pointing upward, while his left hand rests upon or holds a round shield at his side. Unlike depictions of Mars Victor or Mars Propugnator who rush forward into active combat, this composition emphasizes watchful defense, readiness, and divine patronage. In 239 AD, imperial propaganda utilized Mars to reassure Roman citizens and legions that the young emperor, guided by experienced military prefects and senators, was fully capable of safeguarding the frontiers against Gothic intrusions in the Balkans and the growing menace of the Sasanian Empire in the East.

Epigraphy and Titulature

The obverse inscription reads IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, abbreviating the formal title Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus. This standard formula asserts his full adoption into the Antonine and Gordian lineage while establishing his supreme military command (Imperator) and imperial status (Augustus). The reverse carries the strictly chronological legend P M TR P II COS P P, which abbreviates Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate II, Consul, Pater Patriae. The designation Pontifex Maximus established his leadership over the Roman state religion, while Pater Patriae highlighted his protective paternal role. The specific combination of TR P II (holding tribunician power for the second time) and COS (serving as consul) pins the issue directly to the calendar year 239 AD, when Gordian III entered his first ordinary consulship alongside Manius Acilius Aviola.

Typology and Chronological Placement

Within the chronological scheme established in volume IV of The Roman Imperial Coinage, RIC IV Gordian III 28 occupies a prominent position in the emperor's second dated emission from Rome. Gordian III's early coinage began in mid-238 AD with issues marked TR P. Following the regular renewal of tribunician power and his assumption of the consulship on January 1, 239 AD, the mint updated the reverse dies to reflect TR P II COS. RIC IV 28 represents the primary radiate silver type struck under this administrative update featuring Mars. It ran concurrently with dated denarii and sestertii sharing identical reverse titular formulas, as well as undated issues celebrating personified virtues such as Pax, Virtus, and Concordia. By late 239 or early 240 AD, this type was superseded by reverse dies bearing TR P III, making RIC IV 28 a tightly constrained issue representing the administrative and ceremonial output of a single calendar year.

Circulation Patterns and Hoard Contexts

Antoniniani of Gordian III were struck in massive quantities and circulated extensively throughout the Roman world. Because the double denarius was overvalued relative to its silver content, older Severan denarii containing higher silver purities were progressively hoarded or melted down, leaving the antoninianus as the primary circulating silver piece in the market. Specimens of RIC IV Gordian III 28 have been recorded in numerous third-century hoards across the Western provinces, including Britain, Gaul, and the Rhine frontier, as well as along the Danube and in the Balkan provinces where imperial troop concentrations were highest. Due to rapid turnover and frequent military re-deposits, many surviving examples exhibit moderate wear, though pristine specimens preserved in buried hoards indicate that coins of this type remained in currency for decades, circulating alongside later issues of Philip the Arab and Decius until the catastrophic hyper-debasements of the 260s AD.

References

1. The Silver Coinage of Gordian III. pp. 1-28
2. La politique monétaire des empereurs romains de 238 à 311. pp. 112-125
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC IV Gordian III 28. ric.4.gor_iii.28
4. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume IV, Part III: Gordian III to Uranius Antoninus. p. 18, no. 28