IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped bust right // P M TR P II COS P P, Pax standing front, head left, with branch and sceptre. 22mm, 4.43 grams. Rome mint, struck 239. RIC 17, RSC 203.

Gordian III (238–244 CE) became Roman emperor at the age of only thirteen, making him one of the youngest sole emperors in Roman history. His reign brought a measure of stability after the chaotic Year of the Six Emperors, but was dominated by renewed war with the Sasanian Empire under Shapur I. Gordian died during the Persian campaign in 244 CE under uncertain circumstances and was succeeded by his praetorian prefect, Philip I “the Arab.”