GORDIAN III. 238-244 AD. AR Antoninianus (23mm, 4.96 g, 6h). Struck 238-239 AD. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / VIRTVS AVG, Virtus standing left, holding shield set on ground, and sceptre. RIC IV 6 var. (spear); RSC 381 var. (same). Good VF. Attractive first issue.
Whatever Virtus is holding, it is not a spear. It appears to be a sceptre decorated with two round objects at or near the top and at least one similar object at the bottom.
