Coin of Maxentius, Ostia 309 - 312

Curator: This is a coin of Maxentius, presently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the feeling of touching history – it’s small, worn, but somehow monumental. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like these offer crucial insights into the socio-political landscape of their time. Maxentius, a Roman emperor, likely used this coin to project power and legitimacy. Editor: The wear and tear speak volumes too, don't they? All those hands it passed through, all the transactions it facilitated. I wonder what stories this little bronze disc could tell if it could talk. Curator: Precisely. It's a material witness to the past, reflecting economic systems, imperial ambitions, and the daily lives of people within the Roman Empire. Editor: Looking at it now, I can almost hear the clink of the coin, the bustling markets, and the echoes of an empire. Thanks for sharing your insights. Curator: My pleasure. It's always fascinating to consider the narratives embedded in even the smallest artifacts.