Coin of Hadrianopolis under the Emperor Gordian III c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Hadrianopolis under the Emperor Gordian III, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes me is how worn it looks, yet those images still carry power. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This coin is fascinating, isn't it? Coins like these were tools of propaganda. How does the image of the emperor or the symbols of Hadrianopolis on the coin reflect the power dynamics and social structures of the Roman Empire? Consider the messages it conveyed about identity and belonging within the empire. Editor: That's a great point, it's a carefully crafted image intended to show imperial strength. Curator: Exactly. This coin speaks volumes about power, representation, and identity within a complex historical context. Editor: I never thought about it that way! Thank you!