Lot 2607

Description

Gordian III, (A.D. 238-244), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued c.A.D. 243-4 (26.8, grams), obv. laureate draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to right, around IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, rev. around MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM, SC across the field, Mars hastening to right in military dress, holding transverse spear and globe, (S.-, RIC 333, C.161). On a full medallic size flan, some smoothing in fields, with an even brown patina with oxidised surrounds outside the striking making an overall attractive contrast to the striking and the original blank, very fine/good very fine, very rare as such on a medallic flan, and a scarce reverse type.

Ex Earl Fitzwilliam's Wentworth Sale, Christie's, May 30, 1949 (lot 479 part) bought by A.H. Baldwin purchased from them 22nd January 1952 (Å“3.0.0) by Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection, sold in Triton III (lot 1722 part) for the benefit of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts with his ticket.