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Virtus (female)
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Gordian III Pius, AD 238-244
AR - Antoninian, 4.84g, 22mm
Rome 1st emission, 5th officina, July 238 - July 239
obv. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG
Bust draped, cuirassed, radiate r.
rev. VIRTVS AVG
Virtus in military dress, standing front, head l., resting r. hand on oval shield,
set on ground, holding vertical spear in l.
RIC IV/3, 6; C.381
about EF, mint luster
VIRTVS, personification of military virtue, a female figur, here shown clearly by her bare breast r., so looking like an Amazon, helmeted and with military cloak. From the time of the Civil Wars AD 69 until the time of Honorius she played a big role in the imperial coinage. Later often as VIRTVS MILITVM or VIRTVS EXERCITI.
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