Antoninianus of Gallienus c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus of Gallienus, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It's a small, silver coin, quite worn with age. Editor: Instantly, I'm struck by how much history this little thing has seen, a tangible connection to the Roman Empire. It almost whispers tales of power, trade, and everyday life. Curator: Coins like this served as crucial tools of propaganda. The imagery, like the deity on the reverse, was carefully selected to convey messages of strength and divine favor. Editor: It's amazing how such a small object could carry so much symbolic weight. You almost forget that someone held this, spent it, maybe even lost it. Curator: Exactly, and those symbols helped maintain a cultural memory and imperial authority. Editor: Looking at it now, it feels like holding a tiny, tarnished mirror reflecting a civilization. Gives you a bit of a shiver, doesn’t it? Curator: Indeed, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the past.