Antoninianus of Claudius II c. 3th century

Curator: Before us, we have an Antoninianus of Claudius II, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Its weathered surfaces are striking. It feels so raw, almost like a relic pulled straight from the earth. Curator: Indeed. These coins served not only as currency but also as powerful propaganda tools in the Roman Empire. Imagine the reach of these images! Editor: And consider the labor involved in its production—the mining, the smelting, the striking of each individual coin. Its worth was both symbolic and deeply embedded in material processes. Curator: Absolutely. The imagery, meant to project imperial power, was itself a product of vast networks of labor and resource extraction. Editor: Seeing the coin now, worn down as it is, makes you consider the long lives and material transformations it has undergone. It has outlived an empire. Curator: It's a poignant reminder of the enduring power of even the smallest artifacts to tell complex stories about society and belief. Editor: It really puts things into perspective, doesn't it? The weight of history in your hand.