LOT #23149 |
Current Bid: $6,750
Roman Imperial: Gordian II Africanus (March-April AD 238). AR denarius (20mm, 3.06 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 4/5.
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
Gordian II Africanus (March-April AD 238). AR denarius (20mm, 3.06 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 4/5. Rome. IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Gordian II right, seen from behind / VICTORIA AVGG, Victory advancing left, wreath in outstretched right hand, palm cradled in left arm. RIC IV.II 2.Born around AD 192, Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus the Younger followed his father into the Roman Senate during the reign of Elagabalus (AD 218-222). He attained the consulship in the reign of Severus Alexander (AD 222-235) and served as legate of Legio IV Scythica near Antioch, as well as governor of Achaea. In AD 237, he was appointed as a legate (or general) to Africa, a province then governed by his father. While a son serving under a father was hardly unusual, Africa at this time had no legionary force of its own, meaning Gordian II had command only over a small band of palace guards and auxiliary troops. In March of AD 238, a cadre of North African nobles in the town of Thysdrus forced the elder Gordian to accept the purple. Aged nearly 80, Gordian I realized he could not carry the burden alone and proclaimed his son Gordian II as co-emperor. However, Capelianus, governor of neighboring Numidia, remained loyal to Maximinus I and marched on Carthage with the veteran Legio III Cyrenaica. Gordian II gathered a ragtag force and marched out to meet him, but the defenders had more heart than skill and fell in droves before the swords of Capelianus' legionaries. Gordian II died in battle and his body was never recovered. Upon hearing of the outcome, the elder Gordian hung himself. But the 22-day reign of the Gordians proved the aristocracy of Rome was not yet a spent force, and the revolt they began eventually succeeded in toppling Maximinus.
Auction Info
2026 November 8 Spotlight: Imperial Portraits Ancient Coins Showcase Auction #61667 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
November
8th
Sunday
6:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
November
8th
Sunday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
23 Days
40m 36s
Internet/Mail Bids: 10
Lot Tracking Activity: 32
Page Views: 149
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
World & Ancient Coins Session
(Lots 23001-23247) - 7:00 PM Central Time, Sunday, November 8, 2026.
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions - Dallas
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | Ancient Coins Grading Tutorial
World and Ancient Coin Bibliography
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | Ancient Coins Grading Tutorial
World and Ancient Coin Bibliography