This Denarius was struck under the rule of Gordian I and Gordian II. A father and son duo whose reign as co-Emperors lasted for a period of less than a month. Gordian I and Gordian II were requested to be Emperors of an area near Carthage by the landowners themselves who had rebelled against Roman Emperor Maximinus Thrax. Maximinus was unjustly and unfairly taxing landowners in Numidia through his loyal governor Capelianus. When Gordian I became Emperor, he expelled Capelianus as Governor of Numidia, Capelianus still remained in North Africa with his armies after the expulsion and still swore allegiance to Maximinus. Gordian I and Caplianus had a history of deep disdain for each other because of a prior lawsuit in Rome involving the two men. Brewing tensions between Maximinus and the Gordians spurned the Battle of Carthage in 238 AD. The Gordians formed a militia of local men, headed by Gordian II, to wage war against against Capelianus. Gordian II led an untrained army to fight Capelianus and was killed during this mismatched battle. Gordian I, learned of his sons untimely demise in battle and hung himself. Thus ending their short rule. The coins struck under Gordian I and II are renowned for their exceptional life-like looking portraits. This specific example is boldly struck up, well centered, with faint highlights of tones within the legends, and lustrous surfaces that showcase a bold striking.