Sestertius of Gordian III 

Editor: This is a Sestertius of Gordian III, a bronze coin, and I find its weathered surface really evocative. What does it tell us? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's propaganda, a carefully constructed message about power. Consider Gordian III's youth and the turbulent political climate he inherited. Editor: So, the coin is meant to project an image of stability? Curator: Precisely. The portrait is idealized to legitimize his rule, but think about who this image was for and what messages might have been missed or misinterpreted by those outside the elite. Editor: I see how studying the coin reveals power dynamics beyond just economics. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, understanding its historical context allows us to decode its messages about class, power, and identity.