sestertius of Gordian III 

Curator: This is a sestertius of Gordian III, weighing just over 16 grams. Look at the wear and the patina – time etched into the very fabric of this object. Editor: It feels like holding history, doesn't it? You can almost sense the touch of countless hands and the weight of ancient commerce. Curator: Absolutely. The coin itself is a powerful artifact, it speaks volumes about the socio-economic landscape of the Roman Empire and the symbolic role of the emperor. Editor: Consider the labor: the mining, the smelting, the engraving – a whole network of artisans involved in crafting this small but potent symbol. How did it circulate, who handled it, and what did it buy? Curator: The image of Gordian III, a young emperor, served to reinforce his authority. The coin shows his power and projects his image throughout the empire. Editor: It makes you wonder about the realities of Roman society, about class and power dynamics and who really benefited from the empire's vast resources. Curator: I agree. It's a beautiful object, but its beauty must be understood in relation to complex systems of power and inequality. Editor: Indeed, a lasting artifact of empire rendered through material and labor.