antoninianus of Gordian III 251 - 253

Curator: This is an antoninianus of Gordian III, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as quite somber. The patinated surface, the slight wear—it speaks of history but also of loss. Curator: These coins functioned as tools of political communication. The portrait, meant to project an image of the emperor, also served as a cultural touchstone. Editor: Note how the relief on both faces, despite the coin's small scale, creates a sense of depth, an almost sculptural quality within such a limited field. Curator: Coins offer a glimpse into the symbols and ideals valued by a society, revealing the subtle ways power was projected and maintained. Editor: It's amazing how much detail and symbolic weight can be pressed onto such a small piece of metal. Curator: Precisely. It reminds us how even the smallest objects can carry profound cultural narratives. Editor: I'll certainly look at my spare change differently from now on.