Marcus Antonius Gordianus
Gordian I Africanus
238 AD
Marcus Antonius Gordianus was born about 157 AD. During the reign of Maximinus I, the heavy taxation imposed both on the rich and the poor soon made this emperor deeply hated both in Rome and the provinces. The inevitable rebellion came in Africa. In 238 AD, the troops of Africa convinced the 81-year-old Gordian I, who was proconsul in Africa at the time, to accept the office of emperor. Gordian finally accepted on March 22nd of that year and then raised his son, Gordian II, to be joint-emperor, and a request was sent to the Senate of Rome for recognition.
Gordian was quite distinguished and noted for his intellect and character. For this reason, the Senate of Rome granted the petition and confirmed Gordian as the new emperor, and Maximinus was declared a public enemy. However, even before the news had reached Carthage, Capellianus, the governor of Numidia, marched upon Carthage. Gordian II was unprepared and was killed in the battle. Upon learning of his son’s death, the elder Gordian committed suicide after a reign of only twenty-one days on April 12th, 238 AD.
Monetary System
Mints: Rome
Obverse Legends:
IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG
IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG
DENOMINATIONS
AU Aureus (6.54 grams)(Very Rare)
AR Denarius (3.54 grms)
Æ Sestertius
COLONIAL
EGYPT
Æ Tetradrachm (Egypt)
This is one of just a few genuine Roman imperial dies ever to have been discovered. This is an obverse die (punch) on an iron cylinder which is typical, The diameter is 31 mm with the die of Gordian I with the legend IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG with a laurel portrait with the die being 16 mm in diameter. This is the standard observer for RIC 1-6 of the Gordian issues. It is in exceptional condition, most likely due to the fact that Gordian did not survive very long.
