Coin of Pella under the Emperor Gordian III c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a fascinating glimpse into the past, a coin minted in Pella during the reign of Emperor Gordian III. Editor: It feels heavy with history, like I'm holding the weight of an empire in my hand! The patina is incredible. Curator: Indeed. Coins like this, weighing just over 7 grams, were critical to the economy and propagandistic efforts of the Roman Empire. The very act of producing and circulating currency reinforced imperial power. Editor: Looking at the craftsmanship, there's a raw, almost urgent energy to the engraving. It's not just about depicting power; it's about asserting it, claiming it. Curator: Absolutely. It reflects the Roman obsession with control and the material means to exert it. We can consider, too, the labor involved in its extraction, minting, and distribution. Editor: Thinking about all the hands this passed through... farmers, soldiers, merchants. It’s a tangible link to lives lived centuries ago. Curator: It really puts the vastness of the Roman empire into perspective, doesn’t it? Editor: It does. A small object, but a huge story contained within.