Denarius of Marc Antony, Moving Mint c. 38 BCE

Editor: This is a Denarius, a silver coin, issued by Marc Antony, and it's at the Harvard Art Museums. It's easy to pass by something so small, but what stories it must hold! What do you see in this little window to the past? Curator: Oh, the echoes in that silver! To me, it whispers of power, ambition, and the intoxicating scent of Cleopatra's Egypt. It’s not just money; it’s propaganda, isn't it? Marc Antony needed to pay his troops, sure, but he also needed to remind them—and everyone else—who was in charge. Editor: Absolutely! It’s like a portable billboard. I never really considered the "why" behind ancient currency before. Curator: Exactly! Every detail, from the imagery to the weight, was carefully considered. What a fascinating insight into ancient lives, politics, and the art of persuasive messaging, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Definitely. I’ll never look at a coin the same way again!