Two Extremely Rare Tridrachms of Gordian III

CNG 85, Lot: 618. Estimate $300. Sold for $2200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CAPPADOCIA, Caesarea-Eusebia. Gordian III. AD 238-244. AR Tridrachm (22mm, 9.08 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 239/40). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / MHTPOΠ KAICAP ΓOPΔIANI OI[KOY], agonistic urn with two palms supporting Mt. Argaeus; • between palms; B NЄ across field, ЄT Γ (date) in exergue; c/m: bust of Tyche right. Bland, Last 15 var. (rev. legend); Sydenham, Caesarea -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -; for c/m: Howgego 849. Good VF. Extremely rare. Bland knew of only four tridrachms with an agonistic urn reverse at the time of his study (1991). None appear in CoinArchives.

The reverse legend and design refer to the open games instituted in honor of the emperor, who granted Caesarea its second neocorate. The regnal dates, which go up to year five for the silver and seven for the bronze, follow the Caesarean calendar.