Coin of Antiocheia Caesarea under Gordian III c. 238 - 249

Curator: Let's discuss this bronze coin of Antiocheia Caesarea, created under Gordian III. Its weight is around 19.93 grams. Editor: The patina! It speaks of centuries buried, a tactile link to an era where power and representation were compressed onto this small scale. Curator: Absolutely. Gordian III, a young emperor, faced immense pressures. These coins weren't just currency; they were propaganda, projecting his image and authority. Editor: The portrait is quite worn, but still discernible. The lines of the face, the suggestion of the hair, creating depth on a nearly flat surface. Curator: And on the reverse, the imagery would have resonated deeply. It reinforced ideas about the empire's strength, reaching even remote provinces. Editor: Thinking about the materiality, the bronze itself, the deliberate choices around form, create a fascinating dialogue between power and medium. Curator: It’s a tangible artifact connecting us to ancient social hierarchies and political landscapes. Editor: Indeed, a study in miniature, reflecting the macrocosm.