Coin of Gordian III 241 - 244

Curator: Look at this, a "Coin of Gordian III," weighing in at just over 15 grams and residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, the patina grabs me—that deep, almost mossy green. It whispers of centuries buried, stories untold. Curator: Coins like this, minted during Gordian’s reign, were more than just currency. Each portrait, each deity struck onto the surface, was a carefully constructed piece of propaganda. Editor: You’re right; the imagery would’ve been instantly recognizable. The seated figure on the reverse—maybe Roma or Virtus—projects strength, stability. Curator: It's fascinating how such a small object becomes a vessel for such grand ambitions. It makes you wonder about the countless hands it passed through, each one leaving a little bit of their story behind. Editor: It's a tangible link to a world that feels both distant and surprisingly present. Makes you think about power, doesn't it? How it's projected, perceived, and ultimately, fades.