LYDIA, Sardis. Time of Gordian III. 238-244 AD. Æ 42mm 
Medallion (28.41 gm). 

Obv: MHTPOPOLIC CAP­IC ACIAC LV­IAC ELLA­OC A, turreted, veiled and draped bust of Tyche right.
Rev: EPI AVP POVFEINOV APX A T B CAP­IANWN B NEWKORWN, 
Zeus seated left within Zodiac, holding Nike on outstretched 
right hand and long sceptre in left. 

SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -; BMC Lydia -; Mionnet - 
(but see vol. IV, pg. 138, 788 for a similar coin without 
the Zodiac); Cornell 108 (this coin). 

Near VF, dark brown patina, obverse smoothed, reverse 
corrosion. ($3000) From the David Simpson Collection. Ex 
Frank Sternberg Auktion XI (20 November 1981), lot 304. In Treasures of Ancient Coinage: From the Private Collections 
of ANS Members, Catharine C. Lorber catalogued a coin of 
Maximinus I from Anchialus in Thrace with a very similar 
reverse type to this coin (pg. 121, no. 110). This 
schema and variations on it were employed by numerous mints 
for different emperors from the mid-second through the mid-third centuries.

Triton V Sale, 16 Jan 2002, lot 1729.
 
 Lot sold for $3500, plus buyers fees.
By permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com.