Antoninianus of Gordian III 242 - 244

Editor: This is an Antoninianus of Gordian III, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's amazing to see how this small object was once used as currency. How did this coin reflect the political and economic landscape of its time? Curator: Precisely! The material itself—likely silver or a silver alloy—speaks volumes. Its debasement over time would mirror the Roman Empire's economic struggles, wouldn't it? Think about the labor involved in minting these, and the social control they represented. Editor: So, the coin isn't just about the emperor's image, but also about the socio-economic structure. Curator: Exactly. The coin becomes a tangible record of production, material value, and the power dynamics inherent in its circulation. What does this reveal about the cultural values placed on labor and resources at the time? Editor: I never thought of it that way; that is insightful!