Gordian III, 4th Issue, IOVIS STATOR vs. IOVI STATORI

[Mark Farrell]

This question pertains to Gordian's fourth issue, AD 241-243. A set of coins was minted that shared two very similar reverses, IOVIS STATOR SC and IOVI STATORI SC. The reverses differed only in legend. Both depicted Jupiter stg. front, head r., holding long sceptre and thunderbolt.

This pairing was used for AV aurei (RIC 99-100), AR antoniniani (RIC 84-85), for AE asses (RIC 298-299), and for AE sestertii (two examples of these are below, both also RIC 298-299). The IOVI STATORI reverse was also used for a dupondius (RIC 298). The IOVIS STATOR reverse was used for a denarius (RIC 112).

What is the significance of IOVIS STATOR vs. IOVI STATORI? All I know about either of these is a little blurb from Numiswiki (IOVI STATORI is a cult title of Jupiter, Jove who upholds). What is the different meanings for these two legends?

Does anyone know why two such similar themes was used in the same issue? Why would the dupondius and denarius vary from the normal pairing?

Here are the coins that stimulated this question for me (I also have an AE as and AR ant, but I don't have their pairing so I did not include their photos).

(left coin)
Gordian III, Rome, AD 241-243, AE sestertius, 29mm, 16.27g, 12 oclock die axis
Obv: Laureate, cuirassed bust r.; IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG.
Rev: Jupiter stg. front, head r., holding long sceptre and thunderbolt; IOVI STATORI SC.
RIC 298a

(right coin)
Gordian III, Rome, AD 241-243, AE sestertius, 28mm, 17.75g, 7 oclock die axis (note difference from coin above)
Obv: Laureate, cuirassed bust r.; IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG.
Rev: Jupiter stg. front, head r., holding long sceptre and thunderbolt; IOVIS STATOR SC.
RIC 299

Mark

[slokind]

If you don't want to write Jupiter for the nominative (which is Jove the Father), there is the old nominative Jovis, which, with Stator, simply names the figure.  Iovi Statori is the dative case, to Jupiter Stator.  Pat L.

[Mark Farrell]

Pat,

So one set of reverses seems to be directed toward Jupiter, while the other is not. Is there something sort of mechanical going on?

For example, one coin, for want of a better term, invokes Jupiter's protection (?) while the other coin directs something (our gratitude, honor ??) toward him. Is this the old two hand switch -- hand over what's in the right while you grab with your left, grin?

Mark

[curtislclay]

The issue started with the nominative legend IOVIS STATOR, the only one to occur on the denarii, then changed to the dative legend IOVI STATORI.  The change in case doesn't significantly change the meaning of the type.

The chronological sequence explains the absence of IOVI STATORI denarii: that denomination had been discontinued before the legend was changed.  As to dupondii, either none were being struck during the months the nominative legend was in use, or some were indeed struck but they have not yet been found and published.  The dupondius was a rare denomination under Gordian and previously unrecorded variants turn up with fair regularity.

[Mark Farrell]

Thank you Curtis and Pat, most helpful!

Mark