Sestertius of Gordian II 238

Editor: This is a Sestertius, a Roman coin of Gordian II. It’s quite small, but the portrait and figure on the reverse are still very clear. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Well, coins like this were powerful tools of propaganda. Consider the image of Gordian himself. What does his depiction communicate about his authority and legitimacy, especially given his brief reign? Editor: I see the portrait and the figure on the reverse, but I don't know if I see beyond that. Curator: Think about who controlled the mints, who decided what imagery would appear on these coins, and who the intended audience was. It's a carefully crafted message, not just currency. Editor: So, it's about controlling the narrative through mass-produced images. Interesting! Curator: Precisely. The sestertius offered a way to communicate power to a vast audience.