Denarius, Gordian III 238 - 244

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Gordian III, from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small, silver coin, and I'm curious about what its existence tells us about the Roman Empire. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Consider the process of minting this coin. The labor, the silver mines, the skilled artisans who created the die. This wasn't just currency; it was a tool of propaganda, distributing the emperor's image and message. What does the imagery tell you about the Roman concept of power and authority? Editor: It depicts Gordian III, then a soldier on horseback. I guess it speaks to military might? Curator: Exactly! The coin embodies Rome's resource extraction, labor organization, and political messaging into one small object. The distribution and exchange of this coin impacted daily life and the power structures. What further conclusions can we draw from this? Editor: It's fascinating how much history is embedded in such a small piece of metal! Curator: Indeed! Considering the processes of its making is critical.