CIMRM 27 - Bronze aes. Cilicia, 240 A.D.

A bronze aes depicting Mithras exists, from Cilicia. The emperor is Gordian III. It dates to 240 A.D.

Catalogue entry from CNG coins

115, Lot: 273. Estimate $75. Sold for $210. This amount does not include the buyer's fee. CILICIA, Tarsus. Gordian III. 238-244 AD. AE 35mm (19.93 gm). Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / TAPCOY M-HTPOPOLEWC, A/M/K G-B in fields, Mithras holding knife, kneeling on back of bull about to cut his throat. SNG Levante -; SNG France -; SNG von Aulock -; BMC Cilicia pg. 213, 258 (same reverse die). Fine, dark greenish-brown patina, light roughness, small cut on edge. From the Garth R. Drewry Collection.

CIMRM entry

27. Bronze medallion (Diam. 0.036). Berlin, Cabinet of coins; British Museum. Vignoli, 176 with fig.; Welcker in Zoega, 152 No. 43 and 154; de Hammer, Mithriaca, 107 No. 82; Lajard, Intr. Pl. CII, 13; Mionnet, Sup. VII, 282 No. 510; Hill, Coins Br. Mus., 213 No. 258 and Pl. XXXVIII, 4; MMM II 189 No. 3 with fig. 12; Head, Hist. Numm., 22, 733; DS, Dict. Ant., 1945 fig. 5084; Frothingham in AJA 1918, 63ff; MM 28 fig. 1; Leipoldt, VI and Pl. 14; Saxl, 13; Nilsson, Gr. Rel. II, Pl. 16,2. See fig. 4. Obv.: Bust of Gordian (238-244 A.D.). He is dressed in a paludamentum and wears radiate crown. Rim of pearls. Leg.: Au)t(okra/twr) K(ai=sar) M. Antw~nioj Gordiano\j Seb(asto\j) p(ath\r) p(atri/doj). Rev.: Mithras in radiate crown, lifts dagger with his r.h. in order to kill the bull. With the other hand he grasps the animal's nostrils. Mithras' breast is covered by a cuirass, below which is a short turrlc, he also has the flying cloak and anaxyrides. Rim of pearls. Leg.: Ta/rsou mhtropolo/lewj A(u0tono/mou) m(htropo/lewj) K(iliki/aj) g(ra/mmati) b(oulh~j)