Roman Silver Coin of Emperor Gordian III (about 1,780-1,790 years ago)
I'd be happy to create detailed numismatic descriptions for the historical coins you've provided, following your requested format while using clear language that's accessible to all audiences without sacrificing historical accuracy.
Roman AE Of Gallienus (AD 253-268)
Roman Bronze Coin of Emperor Gallienus (about 1,760-1,770 years ago)
This bronze coin was minted during the reign of Emperor Gallienus, who ruled the Roman Empire during a particularly tumultuous period known as the "Crisis of the Third Century." After his father Emperor Valerian was captured by the Persians in 260 AD, Gallienus was left to rule an empire facing numerous external threats and internal rebellions, yet he managed to maintain control for nearly 15 years during this chaotic era.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Gallienus wearing a radiate crown (a crown with rays resembling sun rays), facing right, with Latin inscription giving his name and titles
Back side: Likely depicts a Roman deity or personification (such as Victory, Peace, or Security) with accompanying Latin text expressing wishes for prosperity or military success
Technical Details:
Bronze composition (AE stands for "aes" meaning bronze in numismatic terminology)
Denomination: Antoninianus (a double denarius, worth two denarii)
NGC certified (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, a professional coin grading service)
Minted between 253-268 AD
Condition dependent on specific example
Historical Significance: This coin circulated during one of Rome's most difficult periods when the empire faced multiple crises including barbarian invasions, military revolts, economic decline, and plague. When Gallienus' father Valerian was captured by Shapur I of Persia (modern Iran) in 260 AD—becoming the only Roman emperor ever taken prisoner by a foreign power—Gallienus was left to defend the fragmenting empire alone. Despite losing control of regions like Gaul (modern France) and Palmyra (in modern Syria), Gallienus implemented important military reforms and managed to preserve much of the empire until his assassination in 268 AD.
Roman Silver Antoninianus Of Gordian III (AD 238-244)
Roman Silver Coin of Emperor Gordian III (about 1,780-1,790 years ago)
This silver-washed coin was issued during the brief reign of Gordian III, who became Roman Emperor at the remarkably young age of 13, making him the youngest sole emperor in Roman history. His rule represents a brief period of stability during the turbulent Crisis of the Third Century, though the real power likely rested with his advisors and the Praetorian Guard who had elevated him to the throne.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of young Emperor Gordian III wearing a radiate crown, facing right, with Latin inscription stating his name and imperial titles
Back side: Typically shows a Roman deity, personification of a virtue, or military symbol with accompanying Latin inscription
Technical Details:
Silver-washed bronze composition (antoniniani of this period contained decreasing amounts of actual silver)
Denomination: Antoninianus (double denarius)
NGC certified
Minted between 238-244 AD
Condition as certified by NGC
Historical Significance: Gordian III's reign occurred during the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century, a period of intense military anarchy that nearly destroyed the Roman Empire. Despite his youth, Gordian's six-year reign was relatively stable compared to the rapid turnover of emperors before and after him. His rise to power came after the chaotic Year of Six Emperors (238 AD), when his grandfather and uncle (Gordian I and II) briefly claimed the throne before being defeated. Young Gordian was ultimately killed during a campaign against Persia (modern Iran), possibly through the machinations of his Praetorian Prefect Philip, who succeeded him as Emperor Philip "the Arab."
I'd be happy to create detailed numismatic descriptions for the historical coins you've provided, following your requested format while using clear language that's accessible to all audiences without sacrificing historical accuracy.
Roman AE Of Gallienus (AD 253-268)
Roman Bronze Coin of Emperor Gallienus (about 1,760-1,770 years ago)
This bronze coin was minted during the reign of Emperor Gallienus, who ruled the Roman Empire during a particularly tumultuous period known as the "Crisis of the Third Century." After his father Emperor Valerian was captured by the Persians in 260 AD, Gallienus was left to rule an empire facing numerous external threats and internal rebellions, yet he managed to maintain control for nearly 15 years during this chaotic era.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Gallienus wearing a radiate crown (a crown with rays resembling sun rays), facing right, with Latin inscription giving his name and titles
Back side: Likely depicts a Roman deity or personification (such as Victory, Peace, or Security) with accompanying Latin text expressing wishes for prosperity or military success
Technical Details:
Bronze composition (AE stands for "aes" meaning bronze in numismatic terminology)
Denomination: Antoninianus (a double denarius, worth two denarii)
NGC certified (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, a professional coin grading service)
Minted between 253-268 AD
Condition dependent on specific example
Historical Significance: This coin circulated during one of Rome's most difficult periods when the empire faced multiple crises including barbarian invasions, military revolts, economic decline, and plague. When Gallienus' father Valerian was captured by Shapur I of Persia (modern Iran) in 260 AD—becoming the only Roman emperor ever taken prisoner by a foreign power—Gallienus was left to defend the fragmenting empire alone. Despite losing control of regions like Gaul (modern France) and Palmyra (in modern Syria), Gallienus implemented important military reforms and managed to preserve much of the empire until his assassination in 268 AD.
Roman Silver Antoninianus Of Gordian III (AD 238-244)
Roman Silver Coin of Emperor Gordian III (about 1,780-1,790 years ago)
This silver-washed coin was issued during the brief reign of Gordian III, who became Roman Emperor at the remarkably young age of 13, making him the youngest sole emperor in Roman history. His rule represents a brief period of stability during the turbulent Crisis of the Third Century, though the real power likely rested with his advisors and the Praetorian Guard who had elevated him to the throne.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of young Emperor Gordian III wearing a radiate crown, facing right, with Latin inscription stating his name and imperial titles
Back side: Typically shows a Roman deity, personification of a virtue, or military symbol with accompanying Latin inscription
Technical Details:
Silver-washed bronze composition (antoniniani of this period contained decreasing amounts of actual silver)
Denomination: Antoninianus (double denarius)
NGC certified
Minted between 238-244 AD
Condition as certified by NGC
Historical Significance: Gordian III's reign occurred during the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century, a period of intense military anarchy that nearly destroyed the Roman Empire. Despite his youth, Gordian's six-year reign was relatively stable compared to the rapid turnover of emperors before and after him. His rise to power came after the chaotic Year of Six Emperors (238 AD), when his grandfather and uncle (Gordian I and II) briefly claimed the throne before being defeated. Young Gordian was ultimately killed during a campaign against Persia (modern Iran), possibly through the machinations of his Praetorian Prefect Philip, who succeeded him as Emperor Philip "the Arab."
I'd be happy to create detailed numismatic descriptions for the historical coins you've provided, following your requested format while using clear language that's accessible to all audiences without sacrificing historical accuracy.
Roman AE Of Gallienus (AD 253-268)
Roman Bronze Coin of Emperor Gallienus (about 1,760-1,770 years ago)
This bronze coin was minted during the reign of Emperor Gallienus, who ruled the Roman Empire during a particularly tumultuous period known as the "Crisis of the Third Century." After his father Emperor Valerian was captured by the Persians in 260 AD, Gallienus was left to rule an empire facing numerous external threats and internal rebellions, yet he managed to maintain control for nearly 15 years during this chaotic era.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Gallienus wearing a radiate crown (a crown with rays resembling sun rays), facing right, with Latin inscription giving his name and titles
Back side: Likely depicts a Roman deity or personification (such as Victory, Peace, or Security) with accompanying Latin text expressing wishes for prosperity or military success
Technical Details:
Bronze composition (AE stands for "aes" meaning bronze in numismatic terminology)
Denomination: Antoninianus (a double denarius, worth two denarii)
NGC certified (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, a professional coin grading service)
Minted between 253-268 AD
Condition dependent on specific example
Historical Significance: This coin circulated during one of Rome's most difficult periods when the empire faced multiple crises including barbarian invasions, military revolts, economic decline, and plague. When Gallienus' father Valerian was captured by Shapur I of Persia (modern Iran) in 260 AD—becoming the only Roman emperor ever taken prisoner by a foreign power—Gallienus was left to defend the fragmenting empire alone. Despite losing control of regions like Gaul (modern France) and Palmyra (in modern Syria), Gallienus implemented important military reforms and managed to preserve much of the empire until his assassination in 268 AD.
Roman Silver Antoninianus Of Gordian III (AD 238-244)
Roman Silver Coin of Emperor Gordian III (about 1,780-1,790 years ago)
This silver-washed coin was issued during the brief reign of Gordian III, who became Roman Emperor at the remarkably young age of 13, making him the youngest sole emperor in Roman history. His rule represents a brief period of stability during the turbulent Crisis of the Third Century, though the real power likely rested with his advisors and the Praetorian Guard who had elevated him to the throne.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of young Emperor Gordian III wearing a radiate crown, facing right, with Latin inscription stating his name and imperial titles
Back side: Typically shows a Roman deity, personification of a virtue, or military symbol with accompanying Latin inscription
Technical Details:
Silver-washed bronze composition (antoniniani of this period contained decreasing amounts of actual silver)
Denomination: Antoninianus (double denarius)
NGC certified
Minted between 238-244 AD
Condition as certified by NGC
Historical Significance: Gordian III's reign occurred during the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century, a period of intense military anarchy that nearly destroyed the Roman Empire. Despite his youth, Gordian's six-year reign was relatively stable compared to the rapid turnover of emperors before and after him. His rise to power came after the chaotic Year of Six Emperors (238 AD), when his grandfather and uncle (Gordian I and II) briefly claimed the throne before being defeated. Young Gordian was ultimately killed during a campaign against Persia (modern Iran), possibly through the machinations of his Praetorian Prefect Philip, who succeeded him as Emperor Philip "the Arab."
