Coin of Thessalonike under the Emperor Philip I (the Arab) c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a coin of Thessalonike, issued during the reign of Philip I, also known as Philip the Arab. It weighs around 12.47 grams and is currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: My first thought is how tactile this looks. The surface is worn, suggesting a history of handling, of being part of everyday transactions and lives. Curator: Absolutely. Considering its material and how it was produced – through processes of minting, circulation, and exchange – the coin embodies complex economic and social systems. It’s not just about the face of an emperor but the labor embedded within its creation and usage. Editor: Exactly. And let’s consider Philip’s rise. His ethnicity as an Arab significantly shaped the politics of the Roman Empire. Examining this coin invites a larger discussion of identity, power, and the multicultural dynamics influencing the empire. Curator: I agree. These coins were a crucial tool for disseminating imperial power and ideology, and understanding their materiality allows us to analyze that process. Editor: It truly prompts us to reconsider our notions of Roman identity. Curator: Indeed, and the coin allows us to trace these intersections. Editor: What a powerful little object! Curator: Indeed, it's remarkable.