CILICIA, Tarsus. Gordian III. AD 238-244. Æ (37mm, 19.77 g, 7h). AVT K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC CЄB around, Π–Π in field, radiate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery / TAPCV (
sic) MH[T]POΠOΛЄΩC around, A/M/K and Γ/B in field, two concentric Ciliarch crowns, both with eight heads, set on table. SNG France 1650-1 var.; SNG Levante 1135 var.; SNG SNG Pfälzer 1411 var.; SNG von Aulock 6045 var.; BMC 290 var. Near VF, dark green patina, earthen highlights. A seemingly unpublished variety differing from the above cited specimens in bust type, reverse legend and its arrangement, and details of the crowns.
The Ciliarch or Cilicarch was the name for the High Priest of Cilicia who presided over provincial temples dedicated to certain emperors. The different busts which decorate the crown represent the various emperors who were honored at each respective temple.
The letters distributed around the reverse allude to honorary titles of Tarsus: A (= Greek numeral 1 for πρώτης – “first”)
M (= μεγίστης – “greatest”)
K (= καλλίστης – “best”)
The Γ Β appearing on coins from Septimius Severus through Valerian and Gallienus, at which time it is changed to Γ Γ, are a bit more problematic. While they could stand for honorifictitles, of which various possibilities have been suggested, their absence on silver issues, which always carry the A M K, would seem to suggest otherwise (BMC xci). Alternatively, they could be numerals referring to Tarsus’ third and second neocorate, but the peculiar arrangement of the ordering, with Γ always preceding the B, is not found elsewhere.
