Gordian III's Egyptian coinage was administered through the imperial mint at Alexandria, which operated on a closed currency system — Roman coins could not circulate legally in Egypt, forcing all trade through locally struck issues. The "L Ε" date marker denotes regnal year five, running from late 241 into 242 AD, deep into a reign that ended abruptly when Philip the Arab engineered Gordian's death on the Persian frontier in February 244.
Gordian III's Egyptian coinage was administered through the imperial mint at Alexandria, which operated on a closed currency system — Roman coins could not circulate legally in Egypt, forcing all trade through locally struck issues. The "L Ε" date marker denotes regnal year five, running from late 241 into 242 AD, deep into a reign that ended abruptly when Philip the Arab engineered Gordian's death on the Persian frontier in February 244.