Coin of Theodoric, Ravenna 518 - 522

Curator: Look at this remarkable object, the Coin of Theodoric from Ravenna, held within the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The immediate impression is its worn surface. It speaks of touch, exchange, and the physical realities of its time. Curator: Exactly. Consider its production, this coin represents not just currency, but also the means and the labor that sustained Theodoric's Ostrogothic kingdom. Editor: And beyond economics, this coin broadcast an image of power and the projection of that power to a diverse populace within the shifting political landscape of post-Roman Italy. Curator: These coins, in their materiality, represent the daily interactions with power. It is a fascinating case study of value. Editor: It's truly amazing how much history is embedded within such a tiny artifact. I see now more than ever how it holds weight.