Antoninianus of Valerian I c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus of Valerian I, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s easy to overlook such a small thing, but the worn surface and heft of it make me think of the hands it must have passed through. Curator: Exactly. Coins like this weren't just currency, they were propaganda. Valerian used them to project power and legitimacy during a tumultuous reign. Editor: You can almost feel the pressure used to strike it, the repetitive labor of minting thousands to saturate the market. The metallic composition itself speaks to the resources commanded by the Roman Empire. Curator: And consider the imagery. It’s carefully designed to communicate specific messages about Valerian’s strength and divine favor, shaping public perception. Editor: It’s a stark reminder of the empire’s reach, distilled into a single, easily circulated object that facilitated both trade and control. Curator: Seeing it in a museum context, we can appreciate how this humble coin played a vital role in the grand narrative of the Roman Empire. Editor: Right, and it's fascinating to consider the labor, materials, and power dynamics all concentrated in this tiny, well-traveled piece.