Sestertius of Gordian III 

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius, a coin of Gordian III, and its materiality strikes me. The metal shows a great deal of wear. What can you tell me about this object? Curator: Consider how the very production of this coin facilitates Roman imperial power. It's not just currency; it's a tool. Who controlled the mines, the mints? How did access shape the social hierarchy of the time? Editor: So, it’s about the infrastructure behind it, not just the image of the emperor? Curator: Precisely. Think of the labour involved in extracting, smelting, and striking this coin. Every stage reveals a power dynamic, a demand on human and natural resources. Editor: I never considered the labor involved in creating such a small object. Thanks for the insight. Curator: It changes our understanding when we consider all the stages of its making.