Antoninianus of Probus 277 - 282

Curator: Here we have a glimpse into the past: an Antoninianus of Probus, residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so worn, like a forgotten worry stone. I wonder how many hands it's passed through? Curator: These coins served as a powerful propaganda tool. The emperor's image, his virtues, all disseminated widely through everyday commerce. Editor: So, each transaction was a mini-endorsement? A tangible link between the ruler and his people… almost like a meme. Curator: Precisely! And now, centuries later, it's still prompting reflections on power, endurance, and the stories objects can hold. Editor: Absolutely. It’s a little humbling to realize that something so seemingly insignificant carried so much weight.