Lot 194

3rd C. Roman Silver - Gordian III Group of Six

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Lot 194
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3rd C. Roman Silver - Gordian III Group of Six
3rd C. Roman Silver - Gordian III Group of Six
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3rd C. Roman Silver - Gordian III Group of Six

Estimate: $600 - $900

Starting Bid: $250

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
August 7, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 238–244 CE. Six Roman silver antoniniani of Gordian III (r. 238-244 CE), each struck on a slightly irregular flan with a radiate, draped, and cuirassed imperial bust on the obverse and a standing deity or personification on the reverse. The radiate crown identifies these as double-denarius pieces, the standard military coinage of the mid-3rd century, about 3.5 to 4.9 grams each. Legends read IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG and variants; reverses depict figures consistent with Securitas, Providentia, and Mars. Size: 0.8" D (2.0 cm D).

The antoninianus, introduced by Caracalla in 215 CE and valued at two denarii despite containing well under that amount in silver, was the period's primary instrument of inflation. Its steady debasement across the 3rd century reflects the fiscal pressures of near-constant warfare, making coins like these direct material witnesses to an empire financing itself through crisis. XRF analysis of each coin confirms silver content ranging from 47% to 90%, variation consistent with differing mint locations and production periods.

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection

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Item # 203474

  • Condition: Fine to Very Fine overall, legends are mostly legible, portrait details visible but softened by circulation wear, flans slightly irregular on a few examples.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000