Bronze sestertius of Gordian III (AD 238–244), struck at the Rome mint in AD 240, belongs to issues from the early, consolidating phase of his reign, when the authority of the young emperor was supported by the imperial court and administrative apparatus.
The obverse shows a laureate bust of the emperor facing right, with the legend IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, presenting his official titulature together with the honorifics Pius and Felix, emphasizing piety and good fortune.
The reverse depicts Sol standing left, raising his right hand in a gesture of salutation or manifestation and holding a globe, with the legend AETERNITATI AVG. Sol, as the personification of the Sun, symbolized universal order and cosmic continuity in Roman iconography, while the globe alludes to dominion over the world.
Roman Imperial
Gordian III (238-244), Sestertius 240, Rome mint
Obverse: laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG
