GORDIAN I, Africanus. 238 AD. AR Denarius (20mm, 2.81 gm). IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / SECVRITAS AVG, Securitas seated left, holding sceptre in right hand. RIC IV 5; BMCRE 11; RSC 10. Toned EF. Rare. Well struck from good metal.
Gordian Africanus was perhaps the wealthiest man in all the Empire at this time. His vast estates constituted a small empire in their own right, and his home in Rome was once owned by Pompey the Great. later in life he achieved high offices, including consulship in Rome and the governorship of lower Britain. In 237, as he entering his 80th year, he became governor of North Africa. Noblemen desparate under the heavy taxation of Maximinus, implored Gordian to raise an army and accept the purple. Gordian, along with his elder son were made co-emperors and set off for Rome. Gordian the younger died at Carthage at the hands of Capellianus, governor of Numidia and Gordian I Africanus hanged himself. This brought to a close the short three week reigns of Gordian's I and II Africanus.
