Sestertius of Gordian III 239

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums holds this interesting artifact: a Sestertius of Gordian III, dating from the 3rd century. Editor: The heavy patination gives the piece a beautiful, melancholic feel—time adding layers of history. Curator: The coin's form adheres to classical conventions: a regal portrait on one side, likely Gordian III, and a symbolic figure on the other. Note the incised lettering around the portrait; it frames and contextualizes the emperor. Editor: The craftsmanship is evident in the details, even now. Think of the labor involved in minting these coins, the hands it passed through—real economic and social currency. Curator: Indeed, these objects transcend mere currency; they are visual symbols, communicating power and ideology. Editor: And material testaments to a vast empire, circulating its image and influence. Quite powerful. Curator: Agreed. The semiotic weight of this object is remarkable. Editor: Makes you wonder where it's been.