Coin of Antiocheia Pisidiae under Gordian III Africanus c. 3th century

Editor: This coin of Antiocheia Pisidiae under Gordian III Africanus is quite a find! It feels incredibly weighty, not just in its 22.56 grams, but in its historical presence. What symbols stand out to you in this piece? Curator: The two figures on the reverse, supporting what seems to be a globe, immediately grab my attention. It evokes a sense of shared responsibility, but also of the earth’s bounty under the emperor's protection. What do you make of the caduceus between them? Editor: I almost missed that! Does its presence suggest trade and negotiation, perhaps highlighting the region's economic aspirations? Curator: Precisely! The caduceus acts as a visual shorthand, connecting Antiocheia Pisidiae to broader networks of exchange and cultural interaction. The emperor's portrait on the other side, of course, reinforces the idea of centralized power overseeing this prosperity. Editor: It's amazing how much these symbols communicated back then. Thanks for shedding light on the coin's imagery! Curator: Indeed! It is a fascinating example of visual language and cultural memory, captured on a small, portable object.