Sestertius of Gordian III 241 - 244

Curator: Here we have a sestertius of Gordian III, a Roman coin dating back to antiquity. Look at the wear on that surface. Editor: It's humbling, isn’t it? To think of all the hands this little bronze coin has passed through, all the things it has bought. You almost feel the weight of history. Curator: Precisely. The patina speaks volumes. Notice the details still visible: the emperor's profile, the inscription around the edge, and the figure on the reverse, likely a depiction of a Roman deity. Editor: I’m struck by the subtle textures, almost like miniature landscapes in the relief. And the circular format, like a contained world. Curator: It’s a tangible link to a distant past, a reminder of the everyday lives and grand ambitions of the Roman Empire. Editor: This little coin is more than money, it’s a portal.