Sestertius of Gordian III 

Curator: Holding this sestertius of Gordian III, you feel the weight of history in your hand, literally and figuratively. Editor: The worn texture speaks volumes. It’s a powerful reminder of the emperor’s reach, condensed into a small, portable object. Curator: Coins such as this one were not just currency, but also propaganda tools, circulating images of the emperor throughout the Roman Empire. It’s a political statement in metal. Editor: And a statement about value too, both economic and social. Who had access to these coins, and what did that access signify? The patriarchy is strong in this image. Curator: Indeed, these coins offer invaluable insights into Roman imperial power, economic networks, and the construction of imperial image. Editor: I think looking at this object, it is amazing to imagine how its message was received, resisted, or reinterpreted by the people it sought to influence. Curator: Precisely, and this coin encourages us to think critically about the systems of power that shape our world today. Editor: Absolutely. It’s a tangible link to the past, prompting us to consider the legacies of empire that still resonate in contemporary society.