Coin of Antioch on the Orontes under Philip II c. 247 - 249

Curator: This is a coin from Antioch on the Orontes under Philip II, held in the Harvard Art Museums, weighing in at just under 15 grams. Editor: It's amazing how much weight such a small, unassuming disc holds—both literally and historically. The patina speaks volumes. Curator: Indeed, the composition is quite stark. We have the implied geometry of the coin itself acting as a frame for the profiles. One side features a portrait, the other is inscribed; it is a dual expression of power. Editor: Coins were a key medium for projecting imperial authority, weren't they? Circulating through populations, constantly reminding people of the ruling power’s image and claims. Curator: Precisely. In visual terms, the scale demands a concentrated focus; the material lends a sense of endurance. Editor: Seeing it, one thinks of the countless hands it passed through, a tangible link to the political currents of the time. Curator: Yes, its formal properties communicate a powerful, timeless quality. Editor: And its historical existence offers a vital view into ancient lives.