Sestertius of Gordian III 240

Curator: This is a Sestertius, a bronze coin bearing the likeness of Gordian III, who ruled the Roman Empire in the third century. Look at the wear and patina. Editor: It feels weighty, doesn't it? The portrait on one side, though eroded, seems to gaze out with a certain authority. What can this coin tell us about power and identity? Curator: Well, coins like these served as propaganda. They were tools to disseminate the emperor's image and project ideals of Roman power, often referencing deities or military victories. Editor: And who had access to it? Who could hold power in their hands this way? It makes me consider the racial and class implications of Roman imperial imagery. Curator: Precisely. Its material, form and distribution, tells us so much about ancient Roman social and institutional history. Editor: It's amazing to think that something so small could carry so much meaning. Curator: Indeed. This sestertius provides a tangible link to a complex and compelling period.