445, Lot: 478. Estimate $3000. Sold for $3750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Gordian III. AD 238-244. AV Aureus (20mm, 5.15 g, 6h). Rome mint, 1st officina. 7th emission, mid AD 240. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / DIANA LVCIFERA, Diana standing right, holding long torch in both hands. RIC IV 121; Calicó 3191 (same rev. die as illustration for Calicó 3191a); Biaggi 1355; Jameson –; Mazzini 68. Near EF, some faint hairlines. Rare.

Diana Lucifera, the Light-bearer, is a moon goddess. She appears on Roman issues as a young woman carrying a torch or wearing a crescent on her head.