Sestertius of Maximinus I c. 235 - 238

Editor: Here we have the Sestertius of Maximinus I, a Roman coin, hefty at 17.05 grams. It has a distinguished portrait of the emperor himself. What strikes you most about this ancient artifact? Curator: Well, aside from the obvious allure of holding history in your hand, it's the brutal honesty. Maximinus wasn’t exactly known for his subtle charm, and the coin doesn’t try to hide it. You get a sense of the man – strong, perhaps a little rough around the edges. Editor: Rough indeed! I get the sense he wasn't one for delicate diplomacy. Curator: Probably not. Imagine the stories this little bronze disc could tell! The transactions, the hopes, the anxieties it witnessed... A king's ransom. Editor: It's amazing to think about. I'll never look at a coin the same way again. Curator: Precisely! Art isn't always about grand gestures; sometimes it's about the quiet echoes of everyday life.