Coin of Nikopolis under Caracalla c. 2th - 3th century

Curator: Up next we have a Coin of Nikopolis under Caracalla residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Caracalla, of course, being the emperor himself. Editor: The worn surface and dark patina evoke a sense of history and power, yet something about its small scale also feels... vulnerable. Curator: Indeed. The coin's design—the imperial portrait, any inscriptions—served as potent propaganda, reinforcing the emperor's image and authority across the vast Roman empire. Editor: Propaganda that upheld a brutal regime; Caracalla’s reign was marked by violence and oppression, a reminder that even small objects can symbolize larger power dynamics. Curator: The formal composition, though, achieves a fascinating tension through its miniature dimensions. Editor: And it is a powerful reminder of how even something so small and seemingly insignificant can be a powerful tool of control. Curator: A truly thought-provoking interplay of form and historical weight. Editor: A lasting memento that underscores how objects carry encoded political meanings through time.