Nomos 22

Gordian III, 238-244. Aureus (Gold, 20.5 mm, 4.70 g, 12 h), Rome, late 240-early 243. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Gordian to right. Rev. VIRTVTI AVGVSTI Hercules standing right, resting right hand on hip and holding club set on rock with left, and with lion's skin beside his club. Biaggi 1373-4. Calicó 3242. Cohen 401 var (bust). RIC 108. Nearly extremely fine.

The Hercules on the reverse of this coin may have been copied from the 'Farnese Hercules'. The 'Farnese Hercules' is an early 3rd century masterpiece by the artist Glykon, who ultimately based his work on the 4th century BC sculpture made by the famed artist Lysippos or one of his followers. The statue was commissioned for the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, which was dedicated in 216, but subsequently was lost to time until it was found in 1546. After its recovery, it was displayed in its own room at Palazzo Farnese in Rome, which was decorated with frescoes depicting the hero's Twelve Labors, but was subsequently moved in 1787 to Naples, where it currently resides in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale.