THRACE. Mesembria. Gordian III, with Tranquillina,

THRACE. Mesembria. Gordian III, with Tranquillina, 238-244. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 27 mm, 13.95 g, 7 h). AYT K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC AYΓ CEB / TPANKYΛΛINΑ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III, on the left, facing diademed and draped bust of Tranquillina, on the right. Rev. MECAMBPIANΩN Two Curetes, helmeted and clad in tunics, standing front, each holding sword in his right hand and shield over his head in his left. RPC VII.2 online 1233. Varbanov 4186. A beautiful coin with a very attractive rendering of the Curetes on the reverse. Nearly extremely fine.


The Curetes were the protectors of the infant Zeus while he was hidden away on Crete. Their dancing and clashing of swords on shields drowned out the cries of the little child, which saved him from his murderous father, Kronos.