Coin of Gratian,Siscia 367 - 375

Curator: This is a coin of Gratian, struck in Siscia. It's currently held in the Harvard Art Museums, and we know it weighs 2.25 grams. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by its diminutive size, yet it carries such weight, doesn't it? The patina hints at centuries of circulation, of being held by countless hands. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like this were tools of imperial propaganda. The image of the emperor, here Gratian, was circulated widely, reinforcing his authority and projecting an image of power and stability. Editor: And what narratives were being reinforced? Who had access to this 'stability', and who was further marginalized by it? The image on the reverse seems to depict Victory—a common theme. Curator: Precisely, Victory reinforced Roman dominance. The coin served as a constant reminder of imperial power structures. Editor: It's sobering to consider how this little object, made of base metal, reflects grand narratives of power and exclusion. Curator: Yes, seeing it helps us understand the socio-political function of art, even in something as seemingly mundane as a coin. Editor: Indeed, it reminds us to question whose stories are told, and whose are left out of the frame.