Moeda, Gordian I, Sestertius
238 - Rome - VF(30-35) - Bronze - Cohen:11 - RIC:11
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20.09 gr.
Gordian I
- Reign over Roman Empire: AD 238–238
- Period: Crisis of the Third Century
Marcus Antonius Gordianus was born around 158, perhaps in Phrygia (now in Turkey) and died in Carthage, Africa, in 238. Over the course of his career, he notably accompanied Caracalla in the East and then assumed the management of several provincial governments under Alexander Severus. In early 238, when he was about 80 years old and in Africa as proconsul, the city of Thysdrus (now in Tunisia) rose up against the then emperor Maximinus Thrax for reasons completely fiscal and appointed Gordian as emperor.
.The latter, in view of his advanced age, insisted his son Gordian II be associated with him and had them both recognized by the Senate. However, the legatus Capellianus, loyal to Maximinus, was having none of it and opposed Gordian. Gordian II perished in battle. Upon learning the news, his father committed suicide. His reign lasted barely a month.
Picture: Bust of Gordian I, Musei Capitolini, Rome - Picture taken by Jastrow (CC)
Bronze
Bronze (not to be confused with brass, although usage of the two terms varied in times of yore) is an extremely ancient alloy with origins going back to the period around 2,000 BC. Also known...wait for it...as the Bronze Age (who would have guessed?). Back in ancient times, a proportion of 10% tin was added to copper. It was used in particular for luxurious objects such as swords, helmets, hairpins, and even chariot ornaments.
That is by no means insignificant though, as when putting on a bronze helmet you would already find yourself with an extra 3 kilos or so on your head. Add to that your sword and armor…let’s see you advance quickly now!
The heavyweight of alloys one might say*.
The first Western bronze coins probably date back to the end of the 4th century BC and Greece.
Although the coins may be ancient, it is more difficult to date the appearance of a specific word for this alloy. The earliest record is a Venetian manuscript in Greek dating from the 11th century, but it is not impossible that it was in use earlier.
Nowadays, the bronze used in coinage is an alloy of copper (majority) and tin (minority) along with other metals such as zinc, for example, which improves the castability, or nickel, which produces a harder alloy. Its main qualities are undeniably its great resistance to corrosion and mechanical wear as well as...its aesthetic aspect.
The patina of bronze can vary, ranging from verdigris to brown through to black.
*Actually, puns aside, copper and cupronickel have a greater density, for example.
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