Rare Gordian I Tetradrachm

Sale: CNG 79, Lot: 743. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 17 September 2008.  Sold For $2500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Gordian I. AD 238. BI Tetradrachm (12.96 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 238). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Tyche Soterios (Fortuna Redux) standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia; date to upper left. Köln 2604 var. (obv. legend); A. Savio, Alexandrinische Münzen (Bramsche: Rasch Verlag, 1997), 1804 (Gordian II); Emmett 3349.1 var. (same). VF. Rare.

Previous numismatic works on this coinage have distinguished between Gordian I and II based on the appearance of the title SEM(pronianus) in the obverse legend. However, epigraphic evidence conclusively shows that this title was used in some inscriptions relating to either emperor, so it cannot be a sole criterion for distinguishing between them. It is known that Gordian II was bald on the top of his head, and this is clearly displayed in both Imperial and Alexandrian issues (cf. SNG Righetti 2820 and Künker 89, 1816). Therefore, the portrait is the only reliable evidence we have to conclude which emperor is the issuer of this coin, and though there are possible explanations for a mistaken portrait, there is no known evidence to support such theories in this particular case.