Coin of Antioch under Macrinus c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a coin from Antioch under Macrinus, a small but powerful piece currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so unassuming, almost like something you'd find buried in your garden. But it carries so much history! Curator: Precisely. The craftsmanship itself is remarkable, considering its age and size. Notice the details in Macrinus' profile on one side, and the intricate serpent design on the other. Editor: That serpent! It coils so elegantly, almost like it's whispering secrets from the past. It makes me wonder about the stories it could tell. Curator: The serpent was a symbol of Asclepius, the Greco-Roman god of medicine, which underscores the city's concern for health and well-being. Editor: It's amazing how much meaning can be packed into such a small object. It really is an access point for the concerns and artistry of a whole empire.