Coin (AE2) of Siscia under Gratian 378 - 383

Curator: Here we have an ancient coin, specifically an AE2 of Siscia under Gratian, residing at the Harvard Art Museums, weighing in at 4.15 grams. Editor: It feels...weathered, doesn't it? Time has definitely left its mark, giving it this kind of haunted beauty. I wonder what hands it passed through. Curator: Indeed. The image of Gratian himself is potent; notice the laurel wreath, a symbol of victory and imperial power, a recurring motif on Roman currency. Editor: The figure on the reverse seems to be holding a labarum. It’s a clear statement, a public endorsement of the new faith and of Gratian's policies. Curator: Precisely. And the patina adds a layer of historical depth, visually connecting us to a time of religious and political transformation within the Roman Empire. Editor: It's incredible, isn't it? How such a tiny object can carry so much cultural and personal weight. It's like holding a piece of history in your hand.