CVC & Collectables presents a substantial Roman provincial bronze struck at Tarsus in Cilicia during the reign of Gordian III (AD 238–244). This large AE31 reflects the blend of imperial authority and strong local identity characteristic of eastern provincial mints under Roman rule.
Coin Highlights:
- Authority: Roman Empire
- Emperor: Gordian III (AD 238–244)
- Mint: Tarsus, Cilicia
- Denomination: AE31 (large provincial bronze)
- Metal: Bronze
- Diameter: ~31 mm
- Grade: NGC Very Good (VG)
- Certification: NGC Ancients
Obverse:
Laureate and draped bust of Emperor Gordian III, facing right, with imperial titulature in Greek. The portrait style is typical of mid-3rd-century provincial issues, emphasizing youthful features consistent with Gordian’s age at accession.
Reverse:
Local provincial reverse type rendered in the civic style of Tarsus, depicting a standing figure associated with the city’s traditional iconography. While the imagery reflects local religious or civic symbolism, the presence of the emperor on the obverse confirms this as a Roman provincial imperial issue, not an autonomous civic coin.
Emperor History – Gordian III
- Reign: AD 238–244
- Accession: Elevated to emperor as a teenager following the chaotic “Year of the Six Emperors”
- Rule: Governed largely under the guidance of advisors and generals
- Legacy: Remembered as a youthful emperor whose reign represents the last moment of relative stability before the deeper crises of the mid-3rd century
Collectibility:
Large-module AE31 provincials from Tarsus are popular among collectors for their impressive size, bold portraiture, and distinctly eastern character. Examples certified by NGC provide added confidence in authenticity and attribution, particularly important for provincial bronzes of this scale.
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