This finely detailed ancient coin has been mounted in an stunning modern 18 karat gold pendant set with 30 radiant, fully cut diamonds weighing a total of 1.32 carats and a lovely cabochon garnet.

M. Antoninus Gordianus, grandson of the ill-fated Emperor Gordian I and nephew of Gordian II, was born about AD 225. After his grandfather and uncle perished in their revolt against the Emperor Maximinus in AD 238, Gordian III was given the title of Caesar by Balbinus and Pupienus, the two Co-Emperors set up by the Roman Senate in opposition to Maximinus. When these two were also murdered, Gordian III was proclaimed Augustus by the Praetorian Guard. Although very young at the time of his ascension, Gordian was a modest and restrained ruler of independent mind who showed great promise for the future. In AD 244 he went to personally direct the campaign in the Persian East, where he met with great initial success. However, due to the treachery of the Praetorian Prefect, Julius Philipus, the loyalty of the army was undermined and Gordian was deposed and murdered in Mesopotamia, to be succeeded by the ambitious Philip.