Sestertius of Gordian III 241 - 244

Curator: Here we have a sestertius of Gordian III, a bronze coin currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. He was quite young when he became emperor, wasn't he? Editor: Absolutely, though it's amazing to see how powerful symbolic imagery, like the figure on the coin's reverse, was even then, asserting authority and continuity. It looks rather humble now, though. Curator: Well, this coin offered more than just currency. Coins were the internet of their time, spreading the Emperor's image, messages, and power throughout the empire. Editor: Yes, and think of the psychological impact—constant exposure to the ruler's image, subtly shaping loyalty and identity. On the reverse, the figure holds a scepter, connoting power and imperial presence. Curator: Imagine holding this in your hand back then, feeling the weight, the history, the message. Editor: It’s incredible how a tiny object like this speaks volumes about power, propaganda, and the enduring human need for symbolic representation. Curator: True, a tangible link to a distant past, and the fleeting reign of a boy emperor.