Ancient Roman silver Antoninianus of emperor Gordian III / Herculean Courage

This is an ancient Roman silver Antoninianus of Emperor Gordian III, minted at Rome between  241 - 243 AD 

Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG "Supreme commander (Imperator), Gordian, the pious emperor (Augustus)." Bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right.

Reverse: VIRTVTI AVGVSTI "To the courage of the emperor (Augustus)." Hercules, nude, standing right, resting right hand on hip and resting left hand on club set on rock; beside club, lion-skin.

This coin relates to the Herculean courage needed to wage war against the dreaded Sassanids!

CULTURE: ROMAN

DENOMINATION: Antoninianus

MATERIAL: Silver 

DATE: 238 - 244 AD (this coin c. 241 - 243 AD)

SIZE: 22mm diameter

WEIGHT: 4.52 grams

ATTRIBUTION: RIC IV.3# 95, OCRE# ric.4.gor_iii.95

PROVENANCE: Formerly in a private collection Sutton, United Kingdom