Sestertius of Gordian III 241 - 244

Curator: Here we have a sestertius, a Roman coin, of Gordian III. Given its weight of just over 16 grams, the coin speaks of a specific moment in history. Editor: There’s a weariness to its bronze surface. It looks like it has been handled, circulated, and perhaps even carried as a token. Curator: Precisely. The image of Gordian would have resonated power. Coins were potent symbols of authority, circulating not just wealth but also imperial ideology. Editor: It makes you consider the labor involved—the mining, the smelting, the striking of the coin. This mass production speaks volumes about the empire’s vast scale. Curator: And the figure on the reverse, likely a personification of Victory or a deity, offered hope and security, connecting the emperor to divine providence. Editor: So this small object embodies a whole world of material reality and symbolic meaning. Curator: Exactly. It’s fascinating how this coin encapsulates so much of Roman culture. Editor: It really puts history in your hand, doesn't it?