Kaisareia (AD 238-244) Tridrachm - Gordian III

Gordian III, 238-244 AD. AR Tridrachm (9.09g, 23mm, 1h). Dated RY 4 (240/1 AD). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Mt. Argaeus surmounted by wreath; B NÐ„ across field, Ð„TOVC Î” (date) in exergue. Good VF. Without the usual countermark.

Out of 43 tridrachms of Gordian IIIâ€™s fourth year surveyed by Bland, 33 carried the Tyche countermark, always on the reverse. They seem to be linked to a Helios countermark applied to his bronze coinage, normally found in this case on the obverse. The variation in silver content and weight of Caesarean silver issues is quite astounding. Blandâ€™s study of 105 silver coins of Gordian III have the following weight ranges: 6.72-11.17g for tridrachms, 4.02-6.20g for didrachms, and 2.08-4.13g for drachms. The fineness of the coins varies from 30% to 63%.

File information
Filename:	85000621.jpg
City/Mint name:	Kaisareia
Keywords:	roman / silver
References:	Bland, Last 20, 21-3; Sydenham, Caesarea Suppl. 603a; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock 6525 var. (ligate NE on rev.)
Valuation:	CNG Auc. 85 (9/2010), lot 621 ($205 + comm)
Photo courtesy of:	Classical Numismatic Group - www.cngcoins.com
Filesize:	114 KiB
Date added:	Sep 18, 2010
Dimensions:	800 x 393 pixels
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