MOESIA INFERIOR. Marcianopolis. Gordian III, with Tranquillina (238-244). Ae.

Obv : AVT K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC AVΓ CE TPANKIΛΛEINA.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian and draped bust of Tranquillina, wearing stephane, facing one another.

Rev : YΠ TEPTYΛIANOY MAPKIANOΠIΛITΩN.
Tetrastyle temple containing statue of Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia; E(mark of value) in field to left.
Varbanov 2057.

Condition : This coin has a dark, almost black patina, giving it a deep, aged appearance. The wear is moderate, with details on the portraits and the temple structure still discernible, although softened over time. A small hole is visible in the center, indicating possible use as jewelry or for hanging. The patina's consistency suggests the coin has been well-preserved in a stable environment, allowing its historical features to remain intact.Good very fine.

Material : Bronze.
Axis : 11h

Weight : 13.44 gr
Diameter : 27 mm

Marcianopolis was an important city in the Roman province of Moesia Inferior, located in what is now northeastern Bulgaria. The city was founded by the Roman Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century CE and was named in honor of his sister, Ulpia Marciana. Its establishment reflected the Roman Empire’s broader efforts to strengthen control over the Danube frontier and integrate the provinces of Moesia into the empire's administrative and military framework.

Marcianopolis became a significant urban center due to its strategic location near the Danube River, serving as both a military stronghold and a center for trade and administration. The city played a key role in defending the northern border of the empire against invasions by various barbarian tribes, including the Goths, as well as maintaining stability within the province.

As a Roman city, Marcianopolis was equipped with the characteristic infrastructure of the time, including public buildings, temples, baths, and marketplaces. Archaeological excavations have revealed parts of the city's defensive walls, aqueducts, and other public structures, showcasing its importance as a regional hub. The city also minted its own coins, which often depicted the reigning Roman emperor, reflecting its economic and political integration into the empire.

During the 3rd century CE, Marcianopolis became a center of significance during the series of conflicts known as the "Crisis of the Third Century," when the Roman Empire faced numerous challenges, including internal instability and external invasions. The city endured attacks from the Goths and other groups but managed to survive as a key Roman outpost in the region.

Under the later Roman and early Byzantine periods, Marcianopolis continued to be an important city, particularly as part of the defensive system of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium). It remained a focal point for military and administrative activities in Moesia Inferior, even as the pressures from invading tribes increased in the late antiquity period.

Marcianopolis is remembered for its role in the Roman and early Byzantine efforts to control the Balkan Peninsula and defend the empire's northern borders. Its historical significance as a military, administrative, and economic center reflects the broader Roman strategy of consolidating their frontier provinces and maintaining stability in the Danube region. Today, the remnants of Marcianopolis provide valuable insights into the urban and military history of the Roman Empire in the Balkans.