★ Extremely Rare Provincial of Gordian I ★

ROMAN PROVINCIAL. EGYPT, ALEXANDRIA. Gordian I 'Africanus'.
Potin Tetradrachm, dated RY 1 = AD 238.
Obv: Α Κ Μ ΑΝ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΜ ΑΦΡ ΕΥϹΕΒ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Nike seated left, holding wreath and palm frond over shoulder; L A (date) to lower left.

Extremely Fine; among the finest extant examples.

This coin published at Roman Provincial Coinage Online (rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk)

Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus, better known as Gordian I, was a Roman emperor who briefly ruled in 238 AD during the Year of the Six Emperors. Born into a wealthy and influential senatorial family in the province of Africa Proconsularis, he was well-regarded for his administrative skills and literary pursuits. At the age of 80, he was reluctantly declared emperor by the local population and the Senate in response to the oppressive rule of Emperor Maximinus Thrax. However, his reign was extremely short, lasting only 22 days. When his son and co-emperor, Gordian II, was killed in battle, Gordian I, overcome with despair, took his own life. As a result, coins issued during his short reign are unsurprisingly rare and highly sought after.

From the Euclidean Collection; ex Hermanubis Collection, Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 100 (7/10/2015), lot 1788 (hammer: 1,700 USD).

Reference: RPC VII.2-3636; Köln-2602; Dattari (Savio)-4659; Emmett-3346.1 (R3)
Rarity: Extremely Rare.
Die Axis: 12h.
Diameter: 24 mm.
Weight: 13.43 g.