Gordian III AD 238-244
AE 27, 13.43g
struck under legate Sabinius Modestus

obv. AYT K M ANTW - GORDIANOC AUG
bust, laureate, cuirassed, with Gorgoneion on breast plate and Aegis with erected snakeheads on l. shoulder

rev. YP CAB MODECTOY NIKOPOLEITWN PROC ICTRON
Nude Hermes, Kerykeion in r. Hand and purse in l. hand, standing l., r. foot on rock

Varbanov 3328 (rev. same die); AMNG 2056 and Taf. XVI, 23 (rev. same die)

EF/good VF, exceptional, very rare bust variant, nice shining-green patina

Hermes, known as messenger of the gods, originally a stone deity, from 'herma',
a stone heap as boundary or landmark, known from pre-historic times in Crete 
and other Greek regions. Contributed by Hans-Joachim, December, 2005.