Sestertius of Gordian III 

Editor: Here we have the Sestertius of Gordian III. Looking at it, you can really see the wear and tear of time on this coin. What do you see in the materials of this work? Curator: I see a direct link to the Roman economy. The bronze used wasn't just a pretty material; it represented the state's control over resources, labor, and trade networks. Each strike of the die was a form of authorization! Editor: That's fascinating! So, the material itself tells a story of power and process? Curator: Precisely. It pushes us to consider the socio-economic systems at play, more than just artistic expression, wouldn't you say? Editor: Absolutely. I didn't think of a coin in this way, the value of labor and material as a statement. Curator: Indeed, we can now look at the coin with different eyes.