VIRTVS AVGG

Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian II Africanus to the right, seen from three quarters back.

Virtus standing left, holding a spear with his left hand and a shield at his feet with his right hand.

Photo of a coin sold the 06/01/2015 by Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XVIII, lot 1188, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2313428, link to their website: https://www.cngcoins.com/.

The RIC 4B page 163, note n° 3 speaks of a coin with the obverse legend IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG and reverse VIRTVS AVG showing Virtus holding a globe and a spear preserved at the Hunterian museum in Glasgow. Judged of a curious style and production and i quote ''judgement upon it is, best suspend''.

On this type, the tip of the spear is often missing, the RIC 4B noted that the spear was sometimes reversed.

Gordian I and II share the same obverse legend, the bust of Gordian II is distinguished by absence of hairs in front of his laurel wreath.