AR Carinus 

Curator: This is an AR Carinus coin, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. The artist, Carinus, remains an enigmatic figure, with no birth or death dates available. Editor: It certainly looks well-worn. The patinated surface lends it an air of solemnity, hinting at the countless transactions and hands it has passed through. Curator: Indeed. Note the careful arrangement of the emperor’s bust on one side and the figures on the other. The composition shows a clear intention to project power and stability through symbolic representation. Editor: I see two figures engaged in some exchange—what power dynamic did this intend to normalize? Was it about reinforcing social hierarchies, with Carinus acting as an imperial propagandist? Curator: Perhaps. But consider, too, the craftsmanship involved in rendering these small forms with such clarity. The linearity of the figures, the texture of the emperor's hair. The details invite a focus on the artistry itself. Editor: I suppose analyzing its aesthetic qualities provides some value. Still, the coin's broader historical implications seem more important to consider. Curator: I see your point. It's a fascinating object, regardless. Editor: I agree.