link here  | |  tools  |  share:
photo size: medium 640 new

Ancient Art & Numismatics
recent  |  interesting  |  random  |  favorites  |  contacts  |  sets  |  tags:  
view large
RI192 A Rare Roman Silver Antoninianus of Tranquillina, Third Wife of Gordian III (238-244 C.E.), Probably the Finest Known
RI192 A Rare Roman Silver Antoninianus of Tranquillina, Third Wife of Gordian III (238-244 C.E.), Probably the Finest Known

The Roman Empire

Tranquillina, third wife of Gordian III

d=24 mm
Antoninianus after 241, AR 5.00 g. SABINA TRANQVILLINA AVG Diademed and draped bust r. on crescent. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGG Gordian and Tranquillina standing facing each other and clasping hands. C 4. RIC Gordian III 250.Extremely rare and probably the finest specimen known.

Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex Lanz sale 38, 1986, 811 (illustrated on the cover page).

The coins of Tranquillina are inexplicably rare. They include the full range of denominations then being struck for her husband in silver and bronze, lacking only gold coins or medallions. Though Tranquillina’s series shows every sign of being the first output of a substantial coinage, it must have ceased after the initial issue. Tranquillina was the daughter of Timesitheus, whom Gordian III made commander of his praetorian guards in 241; his appointment must have occurred contemporarily, or just prior, to the royal wedding in May, 241. Celebrations were probably brief as Gordian, Timesitheus and Tranquillina soon marched east at the head of an army to answer the invasion of Roman Syria by the Persian king Shapur. To have arranged his own high appointment and the marriage of his daughter to the emperor, we may be sure Timesitheus held sway over the timid boy-emperor. It remains a mystery why Tranquillina’s coinage ended as soon as it began, for Timesitheus remained praetorian prefect until his death two years later, and Gordian remained married to Tranquillina for the remaining three years of his own life.

NAC38, 145

© All Rights Reserved
Taken on: August 8, 2010
Stats: 2,383 views
RI192 A Rare Roman Silver Antoninianus of Tranquillina, Third Wife of Gordian III (238-244 C.E.), Probably the Finest Known

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: