Coin (AE2) of Valentinian II, Siscia 378 - 383

Curator: We’re looking at an ancient coin from the Harvard Art Museums, a copper alloy piece bearing the name Valentinian II. Editor: It's profoundly aged; I see corrosion and wear. The low relief images feel spectral—ghosts of power. Curator: Indeed, the coin's materiality speaks to its history. Notice the imperial portrait on one side and the figure of Victory on the other. Editor: Victory...but at what cost? This coin, though small, was an instrument of empire, legitimizing power through symbolic representation. Curator: Its worn surface doesn't diminish the formal elements. The composition is balanced, the lines, though softened by time, still convey the intended message. Editor: I see more than just lines. I see the fingerprints of an empire built on conquest and subjugation, encoded in this humble object. Curator: I concede the socio-political context is critical to a complete reading. The coin's design and execution reveal much about its intended function. Editor: So, this small artifact invites reflection on the grand narratives of history, power, and representation. Curator: Ultimately, it highlights the enduring power of form and context.