Antoninianus of Claudius Gothicus c. 3th century

Curator: Let’s examine this Antoninianus of Claudius Gothicus, a coin currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It looks incredibly worn, almost like it’s been smoothed over by time and touch. What material is it? Curator: Its mass is recorded at just over two and a half grams. These coins were typically billon, a mix of silver and copper, but the silver has likely degraded over the centuries. Editor: So the coin wasn’t necessarily meant to last, which is ironic considering its survival. You know, thinking about its production, each coin probably passed through numerous hands… Curator: Precisely! Coinage was a powerful tool of imperial propaganda, circulating the emperor's image and messages throughout the Roman Empire. It's a tangible connection to the past. Editor: A fascinating intersection of material decay and enduring power. It shows how even the smallest objects carry immense historical weight.