Eikonion (AD 238-244) AE 30 - Gordian III

Gordian III, 238-244 AD. AE30 (29.18g, 6h). IMP CAE M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / COL A-EL HA-D ICONINS (sic!); in exergue S R, harpa. The emperor on horse galoping right, spear in raised right hand, fallen enemy with Persian cap raising his right hand to right. aEF. Apparently unique and unpublished.

When the Persians under Shapur I invaded Mesopotamia in early 243 AD, Gordian III opened the doors of the Temple of Janus for the very last time in Roman history, and sent an enormous army to the east. The Sassanids were driven back over the Euphrates and then defeated in the Battle of Resaena (near Ceylanopinar in south-east Turkey). This unique and remarkable adventus (arrival) issue of Iconium, identifiable by the harpa of Perseus (an emblem of the city of Iconium) below the exergue, refers to the upcoming battle and suggests that Gordian III visited the city. It was likely struck in anticipation of Roman victory, serving as propaganda intended to boost confidence among both soldiers and citizens of threatened cities.