Gordian Reopens the Mint at Carrhae
MESOPOTAMIA, Carrhae. Gordian III. AD 238-244. Æ (27mm, 15.61 g, 11h). AVTOK K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC CЄB, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / MHTP KOΛ KAPPHNωN, six–pointed star above crescent. BMC 61-2. VF, dark brown patina, a dusting of earthen deposits. Rare.
Under Gordian III, Carrhae was re–conquered from the Persians and the colonia once again issued coinage for the first time since Severus Alexander. Three denominations appear to have been issued under Gordian:
1) The smallest denomination, with a diameter of approximately 18mm and weight of 4-6g, invariably carries the reverse design of a six–pointed star above a crescent. This coinage celebrates the local moon god Sin and was struck in considerable numbers.
2) The medium denomination typically weighs 8-10g and has a diameter of about 22-23mm. On this denomination we find on the reverse either two stars above a crescent or a bust of Tyche between two stars. Hill (BMC p. xcii) suggested the presence of two stars is an allusion to Shamash (Sol) and Ishtar (Venus), the other principle deities of Carrhae. Both types are very rare today.
3) The largest denomination averages about 28-29mm in diameter and ranges anywhere from 13-17g in weight. The most common type for this denomination is a bust of Tyche left, with a crescent above her and a figure of Marsyas of the Forum (a common ancillary motif on the coinage of coloniae) before her, although the figure is occasionally interpreted as Aquarius. The other type, as our coin, is that of the star and crescent found on the smallest denomination. This type is rare; the two in the British Museum cited above are the only examples in the major published collections.
While only a very cursory treatment, it seems clear that the medium denomination served as a double of the smallest unit. This seems supported by the presence of the two stars, which may refer to Shamash and Ishtar but which could also designate the value. The largest denomination would appear to be 1½ times the value of the smallest unit.
