IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate draped and cuirassed bust right // P M TR P V COS II PP, Apollo seated left, holding a branch and resting arm on lyre. 24mm, 3.28 grams. Rome mint, struck 241-243 CE. RIC 89

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.”