Silver Antoninianus Of Gordian III RIC 202

AR Antoninianus (21.71mm, 3.4g) Struck AD 238-239 Rome

Obv: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS Radiate Draped and cuirassed bust right

Rev: VICTORIA AVG Victory advancing left carrying wreath and palm

RIC IV 202, Sear 8664, RSC 357
ex. Ancient Imports

 The Front (Obverse): Meet the Teenage Emperor

• The Inscription: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS PIVS AVG
• What it means: This translates to "Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordian, Pious,  Augustus."
• The Visuals: It shows the right-facing profile of Gordian III, who became emperor when he was only 13 years old. He is wearing a radiate crown (a crown with pointy sunbeams sticking out).

The Back (Reverse): Celebrating Victory

• The Inscription: VICTORIA AVG
• What it means: This stands for "Victoria Augusti" or "Victory of the Emperor."
• The Visuals: It shows Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory, marching proudly to the left. She is holding a laurel wreath in one hand and a long palm branch in the other.

The Historic Story Behind It

This coin was minted in Rome around AD 238–239, during the chaotic era that historians call the Crisis of the Third Century. The previous emperor (the massive soldier-emperor Maximinus Thrax mentioned in the URL) had just been overthrown.

To make everyday citizens and soldiers feel safe, the new young emperor's team quickly stamped these coins with the Goddess of Victory. It was ancient propaganda to tell everyone, "Don't worry, the new kid is in charge, we are winning, and peace has returned!"