Interesting Obverse Legend

409, Lot: 473. Estimate $250. Sold for $360. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Gordian III. As Caesar, AD 238. Potin Tetradrachm (23mm, 12.63 g, 11h). Dated RY 1 (AD 238). M AN ΓOPΔIANOCOC (sic) CЄB, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Athena Nikephorus seated left, holding spear; shield at side of throne, L A (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari 10190-1; K&G 72.5; Emmett 3381.1 (R4). VF, dark brown patina. Very rare.

Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions VI (1 March 1989), lot 322; Empire Coins Auction 8 (7 December 1987), lot 678; Duke of Argyll Collection (with his ticket).

It is difficult where to place this obverse die, which seems to be the result of some confusion. It could be either the earliest die for Gordian as Caesar, in which case the engraver gave him the wrong imperial title, or the earliest die as Augustus, albeit with a continuation of the use of the bare head for the Caesar issues (the legend shows no signs of being re-engraved over an earlier legend). In either case, the name is clearly blundered, and a first issue as Caesar would seem a more logical time for such an error to occur.