★ Gordianus Africanus ★

Gordian I AD 238. Struck AD 238. Rome
Sestertius Æ

31 mm, 20,12 g

[I]MP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed / [SEC]VRITAS A[VGG], Securitas seated to left, holding short sceptre; SC in exergue.

Very Fine, edge faults

RIC IV 11; C.11; BMCRE 12.

Gordian I was a Roman Emperor who, along with his son Gordian II, briefly ruled the Roman Empire during the year 238 AD. Their rule was very short-lived as it came about in response to a rebellion against the reigning Emperor Maximinus Thrax. However, their revolt was ultimately unsuccessful, with Gordian II being killed in battle, and Gordian I choosing to end his own life upon hearing of his son's death. This marked the end of their brief and tumultuous reign during a period of Roman history known as the Crisis of the Third Century.