CNG 85, Lot: 621. Estimate $300. Sold for $205. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CAPPADOCIA, Caesarea-Eusebia. Gordian III. AD 238-244. AR Tridrachm (23mm, 9.09 g, 1h). Dated RY 4 (AD 240/1). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Mt. Argaeus surmounted by wreath; B NЄ across field, ЄTOVC Δ (date) in exergue. Bland, Last 20, 21-3; Sydenham, Caesarea Suppl. 603a; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock 6525 var. (ligate NE on rev.). Good VF. Without the usual countermark.

Out of 43 tridrachms of Gordian III’s fourth year surveyed by Bland, 33 carried the Tyche countermark, always on the reverse. They seem to be linked to a Helios countermark applied to his bronze coinage, normally found in this case on the obverse.

The variation in silver content and weight of Caesarean silver issues is quite astounding. Bland’s study of 105 silver coins of Gordian III have the following weight ranges: 6.72-11.17g for tridrachms, 4.02-6.20g for didrachms, and 2.08-4.13g for drachms. The fineness of the coins varies from 30% to 63%.