Antoninianus of Gordian III 243 - 244

Editor: This is an Antoninianus coin of Gordian III from the Harvard Art Museums. It's small and worn, but I can make out a figure on each side. What symbols do you recognize? Curator: The portrait is Gordian III himself, identifiable by the radiate crown. On the reverse, we see a standing figure, likely a representation of a deity or personification of an abstract concept like Victory. The imagery aims to project power and stability. How do you see these symbols functioning together? Editor: I guess the portrait identifies who is in charge, and the other figure suggests what he hopes to achieve. It's like a message about the emperor's aspirations. Curator: Precisely! The coin serves as a miniature billboard, embedding the emperor's image and ambitions into the collective psyche. These symbols speak across time. The portrait associates the Roman leaders with the gods, using imagery as a tool of power. Editor: That's fascinating! It makes me think about how we use images today.