Denarius of P. Maenius M.f. Antias or Antiaticus, Rome c. 132

Curator: Let's discuss this fascinating Denarius of P. Maenius M.f. Antias or Antiaticus, a Roman coin currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels quite austere, doesn't it? The worn silver suggests a history of use and exchange. Curator: Indeed. The labor involved in minting such coins, replicated across vast quantities, underpinned the economic and social fabric of Rome. On one side, we see the helmeted head of Roma, a personification of the city. Editor: Ah, yes. And note the figure in a chariot on the reverse. These images would have been instantly recognizable symbols of Roman power and authority. A call to both civic duty and loyalty to the Republic. Curator: Precisely. Think of the mining, smelting, and striking—each step contributing to this small but potent object. Editor: And each strike carrying a visual message that reinforced identity and allegiance. Remarkable how symbols can carry such weight. Curator: Absolutely. It's humbling to consider the sheer volume of production and its significance in Roman society. Editor: Examining this coin has given me a new perspective on how deeply ingrained symbols are in our history.