Sestertius of Gordian III c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius of Gordian III. It's a weighty bronze coin, and I'm struck by how worn it is; it feels like holding history. What can you tell me about its creation and use? Curator: Well, consider the labor. The mining of copper, the smelting, the die-cutting, and the striking of the coin. Each stage represents a social process, embedding value and power. How might its material and circulation have impacted Roman society? Editor: So, it's not just currency, but a symbol of Roman power distributed through material means? I never considered the economic implications of art. Curator: Precisely. It prompts questions about materiality, labor, and consumption within the Roman Empire. I'm glad we could explore it together.