Coin of Arcadius, Cyzicus 388 - 392

Curator: This is a coin of Arcadius from Cyzicus, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs just over one gram. Editor: It's a rather somber little piece. The patina of age seems to mute any original luster, leaving a somewhat ghostly impression. Curator: Its material existence tells of ancient trade routes and the very real power structures of the late Roman Empire. Think of the labor involved in its creation and distribution. Editor: Notice how the image, though worn, retains its formal structure. The composition, even in miniature, speaks to established hierarchies of representation. Curator: And consider its role in daily transactions – its circulation embedded in the social fabric of the time. Editor: It's fascinating how much information is conveyed in such a small, contained space. The details, though minute, are carefully rendered. Curator: Exactly. It's a humble object that connects us to a vast network of human activity. Editor: A reminder that even the smallest artifact can resonate with echoes of history and artistry.