EGYPT, Alexandria. Gordian II. AD 238. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 12.52 g, 11h). Dated RY 1 (AD 238). VF.

CNG Feature Auction 126
Lot: 550.
Closing Date: May 29 2024 11:00 ET

The Beniak Collection of Alexandrian Coinage, Potin

Estimate: $ 1 500

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Gordian II. AD 238. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 12.52 g, 11h). Dated RY 1 (AD 238). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Zeus seated left, holding patera in right hand, long scepter in left; at feet left, eagle standing left, head right; L A (date) in upper left field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 4669; K&G 69.8; RPC VII.2 3649.3 (this coin); Emmett 3360.1. Dark brown patina, light porosity, small scratch on reverse. VF. Extremely rare.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions IV, 21 September 1988), lot 316.

A note from the consignor: Most collectors of Roman coinage do not start with Roman Egypt. They are more likely to begin with Roman Imperial coinage, especially denarii. Upon delving into the coinage of Alexandria, in particular billon tetradrachms, one soon becomes aware of significant differences in the relative rarity of rulers. These differences can even extend to very closely related issues. Such is the case of the joint (father and son) emperors of 238 A.D. Gordian I and II.

The Gordians have the dubious distinction of being the most ephemeral Roman Emperors in history, their royal tenure lasting a mere 22 days. Despite this brevity, they managed to produce a surprisingly complete imperial coinage (denarii and sestertii) though less complete Alexandrian (billon tetradrachms but no bronze issues).

While all coinage of the Gordians is scarce, an unexpected discrepancy exists. The imperial issues of the Gordians tend to be of comparable rarity. This equivalence is in no way replicated in the billon tetradrachms for reasons unknown. In building my collection, I had the good fortune of obtaining the present specimen in 1988 (CNA IV sale). Try as I might, it was not until nearly thirty years later that I acquired my second and last Gordian II. Over the same time span, I acquired eleven Gordian I tetradrachms.

A brief statistical summary supports my collecting experience. Review of the past twenty years of CoinArchives lists less than ten specimens with perhaps eight times as many Gordian I coins. Finally, a survey of the major published Alexandrian collections shows the following: