Emblem of the Legio I Parthica

216, Lot: 414. Estimate $300. Sold for $235. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MESOPOTAMIA, Singara. Gordian III. AD 238-244. Æ 20mm (6.69 g, 1h). Laureate bust right / Centaur (Sagittarius) advancing right, shooting arrow; vexillum inscribed ΛЄ/Γ in background. BMC -; SNG Copenhagen -; cf. Lindgren & Kovacs 2625; Mionnet Suppl. VIII 81. VF, brown patina.

The Roman colony of Singara was the base of Legio I Parthica, raised in AD 197 for Septimius Severus’ campaign against the Parthians. Afterwards, the legion remained in Mesopotamia to counter any potential rebellions. The emblem of Legio I, the Centaur, appears on coins of Singara.