AR Gordian III 239 - 240

Editor: This is AR Gordian III, a coin currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes me is the visible wear and tear, suggesting extensive circulation. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a potent example of power and its material representation. The coin itself, beyond its artistic merit, functioned within systems of exchange and control. Who mined the metal, who struck the coin, and whose labor fueled the empire it represents? Editor: That's a great way to view it! Curator: Considering its circulation, who benefitted, and who was further exploited by the economic system this coin facilitated? It raises questions about value beyond simple monetary worth. Editor: I hadn't considered the labor involved in creating and circulating it. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! It's about viewing art as a product of material conditions and social relations.