Coin of Antiocheia Caesarea under Gordian III 238 - 244

Curator: Here we have a coin from Antiocheia Caesarea, created during the reign of Gordian III. The coin is made of bronze and it’s part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the sheer age of the piece—it feels like holding history, or at least a tiny, tarnished window into it. Curator: Indeed. The obverse features a profile portrait of Gordian III, while the reverse shows a ram, a common symbol in that era and region. Note the linear inscriptions surrounding both images. Editor: The ram seems to be in motion, perhaps suggesting prosperity and forward movement. The patina adds a layer of mystery, almost like a veil over the original design. Curator: The material itself, bronze, lends a sense of permanence, a deliberate choice to immortalize the emperor and his reign. The incuse design also carries significance. Editor: Absolutely. Holding this, one can almost feel the weight of the Roman Empire. Makes you wonder about the hands it passed through. Curator: Exactly. It really encapsulates the socio-political structures through its precise craftsmanship and symbolic imagery. Editor: It's more than just currency; it's a story etched in metal, isn't it?