As of Gordian III c. 3th century

Curator: This is a bronze coin, bearing the image of Gordian III. It is held in the collection of the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The green patina immediately speaks of age and endurance, doesn't it? It gives it a solemn feel. Curator: Absolutely. The coin’s material speaks volumes about its purpose: circulated amongst Roman society, it’s a tactile link to the emperor and the empire’s economic system. Editor: And the images themselves? Gordian's profile links him to power and authority, while the figure on the reverse, likely Pax, signals the desire for peace and stability. Curator: The minting process itself, the labor, the value assigned to the metal—it's all about controlling the message and projecting power. Editor: Yet the coin's small size belies the vastness of the Roman project. I see how symbols compress ambition and aspiration. Curator: It makes me think about labor, power, and the very tangible reality of the Roman Empire. Editor: It makes me think about how even the smallest objects carry the weight of empires.