Sestertius of Gordian III c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a Sestertius, a Roman coin, of Gordian III, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. What do you think of it? Editor: It looks like it has been through a lot. The coin seems weathered, its features worn, but there's a strange beauty in that decay. It feels like a tangible link to a very different world. Curator: Indeed. These coins weren't just currency, they were propaganda. Gordian III, as emperor, controlled his image, how he was presented to his people. The coin becomes a tool of power. Editor: Absolutely. And who got to see and hold this power? Currency always circulates along very specific social pathways, reinforcing existing hierarchies. Who benefited from Gordian III’s image being disseminated? Curator: It's a message of stability and imperial authority to the soldiers and citizens. The image of the emperor was crucial to maintaining order and loyalty. Editor: And today it also prompts us to question whose stories are valued and preserved through our museums and collections. It's always about power, isn’t it? Curator: I suppose. It's fascinating to consider its journey from ancient Rome to our present day. Editor: Yes, it really does speak to the enduring nature of image and the constant struggle for representation.