Double Denarius of Saruomates II of Bosporos c. 180 - 196

Curator: Here we have a Double Denarius of Sauromates II of Bosporos, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Even in its worn state, the coin exudes power, a tactile representation of ancient authority. Curator: Indeed. The imagery, though faded, speaks volumes. On one side, we see a clear depiction of the king, likely Sauromates II himself, mounted on horseback. Horses in art often symbolize dominion, nobility, and swiftness. Editor: The circular format immediately suggests a self-contained world, a concentrated expression of power rendered in metallic relief. The composition is almost perfectly balanced. Curator: The opposite face shows a royal portrait with a diadem, indicative of kingship and divine right. Even the material—a weighted metal—contributes to the impression of enduring value. Editor: It's fascinating to consider how the intrinsic properties of this coin—its shape, its materiality, its deliberate composition—converge to create a powerful semiotic object, a tangible symbol of the Bosporan kingdom. Curator: Examining the symbols, we see the ways that a leader sought to anchor his power in his own time and for posterity. Editor: It's incredible to think that such a small object could carry so much weight, both literally and figuratively.