Denarius of Gordian III c. 241

Editor: Here we have a Denarius, a Roman coin, minted by Gordian III. There’s something haunting about seeing a face from so long ago, worn smooth by time and touch. What stories do you think it could tell? Curator: Ah, if only coins could talk! I see a young emperor, really just a boy, trying to hold onto power in a chaotic world. This small piece of metal, likely silver, was his PR campaign, his attempt to project stability and authority. Do you see the detail in his portrait, the laurel wreath? It's all about image. Editor: So, it’s less about money and more about… propaganda? I never thought of it that way. Curator: Exactly! It's a tiny time capsule, whispering about the rise and fall of empires. Perhaps it paid for a loaf of bread, or maybe a soldier’s loyalty. It's strangely poetic to think about. Editor: That really gives me a new appreciation for something I would have just seen as an old coin. It’s amazing.