Æ35 - Sabinia Tranquilliana ΠΟΔΑΛΙωΤωΝ

Sabinia Tranquillina was the wife of Gordian III, married in 241 AD in what was likely a political arrangement consolidating the influence of her father, the praetorian prefect Timesitheus, who effectively ran the empire during Gordian's minority. Podalia was a small Lycian city whose civic bronze issues under this marriage are rare enough that the BCD specimen cited here passed through auction as a highlight of that collection. Timesitheus died on campaign against Persia in 243, and Gordian himself was dead by early 244 — the window for coins bearing Tranquillina's name was narrow.