MOESIA Marcianopolis Emperor Gordian III The Three Graces NGC Artistic Coin D013

Description

Roman Provincial Coin of MOESIA - Marcianopolis
Gordian III (AD 238-244). Bronze AE (24mm, 8.45 gm, 12h)
Reference: Varbanov 1908.
NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 2/5 6327031-007
Obverse: M ANT ΓOP-ΔIANOC AV Γ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Gordian  III right, seen from behind.
Reverse: MARKIANOΠΛITΩN, the three Graces, all standing facing arm-in-arm, the  two outer figures head turned outwards, the center figure looking right, the  outer two hold object in free hand.
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Genuine History
Collection
Marcianopolis or Parthenopolis was an ancient Greek, then  Roman capital city and archbishopric in Moesia Inferior. It is located at the  site of modern-day Devnya, Bulgaria. The ancient city has been partially  excavated and is renowned for its museum collection of ancient mosaic floors  from villas in the city. Roman Emperor Trajan renamed the ancient city of  Parthenopolis after the Second Dacian War, which ended in 106. The city was  renamed after Trajan's sister, Ulpia Marciana. An important strategic centre,  the city was part of Roman Thrace until 187–193, and then belonged to Moesia  inferior. Marcianopolis's prosperity under the Severan Dynasty was ended by a  Gothic raid in 248–249 and subsequent barbarian invasions from the north. The  Romans repulsed another Gothic attack to this town in 267 (or 268), during the  reign of Gallienus. Under Emperor Diocletian Marcianopolis became the centre of  the province Moesia Secunda of the Diocese of Thrace, and was rebuilt thoroughly  in the late 3rd and early 4th century. It grew in importance at the expense of  neighbouring Odessos (Varna) in the 4th century. The city was an important  episcopal centre and a basilica from the period was excavated in the 20th  century. During Emperor Valens' conflict with the Goths (366–369), Marcianopolis  was a temporary capital of the empire and the largest city of Thrace according  to a source from the period.