Coin of Aspendos under Valerian c. 3th century

Curator: This is a coin from Aspendos during the reign of Valerian I, now part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Its weight is 12.35 grams. Editor: It feels weighty, doesn’t it? Both literally and metaphorically. I mean, look at the wear and tear, the patinated green. It's a time capsule. Curator: Exactly. Coins like this served a dual purpose. They facilitated trade but also functioned as propaganda, disseminating the emperor's image and authority. Editor: And it's so tactile. Imagine holding this, feeling the emperor's face, and the weight of the entire Roman empire pressing down in the palm of your hand. Curator: I think it's important to see how it shows power relations of the time; who is being honored, and how, as a piece of political messaging. Editor: Yes, you are right, that is important to consider, too. I'm mostly struck by the way the coin feels like holding a whisper from the past. Curator: I agree. It’s a valuable lens through which we can examine the economic and political landscape of the Roman Empire. Editor: Absolutely, and, in a strange way, a portal to a very human story.