Antoninianus of Gordian III 243 - 244

Curator: This is an Antoninianus of Gordian III, a Roman coin dating back to his reign. What strikes you about it? Editor: The wear is remarkable; each imperfection tells a story of circulation, of hands it passed through, a tangible link to an ancient economy. Curator: Indeed. The coin's materiality speaks volumes. It would have been produced through processes that were both standardized and subject to the skill of individual mint workers. Editor: And what stories those workers could tell! Each coin was a propaganda piece; Gordian's image, his power made portable, but also a tool for managing a vast and diverse empire through trade and taxation. Curator: Precisely, seeing this object, thinking of its creation, gives us a glimpse into the workings of the Roman state, and its strategies for maintaining power. Editor: It is an object lesson in how economic and political power intersect. Curator: A fascinating intersection that this small coin makes visible. Editor: Absolutely, a tiny vessel carrying immense weight.