Pentassaria - Gordian III

Marcianopolis, the administrative capital of Moesia Inferior, was one of the most prolific civic minting centers in the Roman Balkans, and its output under Gordian III was exceptional in volume. The city had issued coins under the authority of its governor — the legatus — since the Severan period, and the pentassaria denomination represented the heaviest bronze struck locally, essentially functioning as a regional substitute for the imperial antoninianus in daily commerce along the Danube frontier.

Gordian III came to power at thirteen following the murder of Pupienus and Balbinus, both of whom also appear in Marcianopolitan civic coinage from 238, making that single year unusually dense with portrait types from this mint.