Gordian I. AD 238. AR Denarius (20mm, 2.35 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck 1-22 April. Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 584. Estimated: $ 1 500

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 4 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Gordian I. AD 238. AR Denarius (20mm, 2.35 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck 1-22 April. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Roma seated left on throne, holding Victory and scepter; oval shield below throne. RIC IV 4; BMCRE 8-9; RSC 8. Toned, roughness. Good VF.

Gordian I and his son Gordian II share the dubious distinction of having the shortest reigns of any "legitimate" Roman emperors, together ruling a mere 22 days. Despite their brief production run, coins of Gordian I and II are notable for their excellent portraiture. The elder Gordian appears as a distinguished older gentleman with thin, hawkish features, while Gordian II is shown as a younger, plumper and prematurely balding man with a slight beard. This may indicate that official effigies of both were already at the Rome mint when their rebellion against Maximinus I broke out in Carthage, suggesting the whole episode was not as spontaneous as contemporary historians claimed.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Two – Lot 309-594 will be held Tuesday morning, 15 September 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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