Sestertius of Gordian III 240

Editor: Here we have a sestertius of Gordian III at the Harvard Art Museums. It appears to be a bronze coin and rather corroded. What stories do you think it holds? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about power, representation, and access. Currency wasn't just a medium of exchange; it was propaganda, shaping perceptions of the emperor and reinforcing the Roman social hierarchy. Editor: Propaganda? How so? Curator: Consider the image of Gordian III. It’s a carefully crafted representation intended to project strength and legitimacy. But whose gaze does it serve? And who had access to these images and therefore, the narrative they created? Editor: So it's less about the coin's monetary value and more about its social value? Curator: Precisely. It’s about understanding how power operates through images and objects, shaping collective memory and perpetuating social structures. Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. It's fascinating to consider its role beyond just being currency. Curator: Indeed. Everyday objects like this can offer powerful insights into the complexities of the past, if we ask the right questions.