Coin of Gytheion under Caracalla 202 - 205

Curator: This is a coin of Gytheion under Caracalla, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s small but impactful. The patinated bronze gives it a sense of age and history. Curator: Indeed. Look closely at the crafting; this coin, a product of labor and trade, served both economic and propagandistic purposes under Caracalla's rule. Editor: The composition, even in its worn state, displays a clear contrast between the emperor’s profile and the depicted figure – likely a deity – revealing the power dynamics of the time. Curator: Its materiality speaks volumes about the Roman economy and the emperor's control over resources and the circulation of value. Editor: The decay, too, enhances the narrative. It’s a fascinating interplay of symbolic intent and chance degradation, altering our perception across centuries. Curator: I agree. It is a tangible connection to the workings of a vast empire. Editor: Precisely, an object transformed by time into a compelling visual artifact.