Denarius of Caracalla c. 213 - 217

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Caracalla, a Roman coin, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It weighs just over 3 grams. Editor: It's remarkable how such a tiny object can speak volumes. The cool, worn metal gives me a sense of immense time passing. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like this were vital tools for disseminating imperial propaganda. Caracalla, or rather his image, circulated throughout the empire. Editor: The portrait on one side, with the figure on the reverse... It's about power, isn't it? About projecting a specific image of authority and imperial strength. Curator: Precisely. The figure on the reverse probably represents a deity associated with the emperor, legitimizing his rule. Consider, too, who controlled the mints and imagery. Editor: And how this little coin, through trade and exchange, touched countless lives, reinforcing the social and political structures of the time. Curator: Indeed. It’s a potent reminder of the everyday mechanics of empire. Editor: Looking at it now, I see not just a coin but a tangible connection to a complex and often brutal history.