Coin of Tomis under Gordian III and Tranquilina c. 3th century

Curator: Ah, a coin, weighty with history. It's a "Coin of Tomis under Gordian III and Tranquilina" currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs in at 13.22 grams. My initial impression? Austere. It feels like looking into a distant past. Editor: Austere, yes, but also a bit romantic, wouldn't you say? Seeing a husband and wife, captured together in such an enduring medium. The coin itself is a marriage of power and familial duty. The symbolic merging of two imperial lines. Curator: Interesting point. The pairing of Gordian III with his wife Tranquilina is not just a portrait; it's a statement. It reflects dynastic ambitions, and perhaps even anxieties about succession, all stamped onto a tiny metallic disc. Editor: The choice of imagery is also significant. The depiction of Tranquilina with her distinct hairstyle and regal bearing, contrasted with Gordian’s military attire, speaks volumes about their respective roles. She represents stability, while he embodies military might. Curator: I see that. The wear and tear only add to its charm. I mean, it has exchanged hands, been part of someone's daily life. That’s the magic of objects like these. They are witnesses. Editor: Exactly. Each scratch, each faded inscription is a ghostly whisper from a world long gone. A constant reminder that empires rise and fall, but stories, if etched deeply enough, can last millennia.