Coin of Perge under Salonina 254 - 268

Curator: Here we have a coin, specifically a "Coin of Perge under Salonina," residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought? It feels ancient and weighty, like holding a piece of history, tarnished and whispering stories. Curator: It's incredible to consider Salonina, the artist, if we can call her that, had her likeness and authority stamped on this very object. Think of its function – a tool for commerce and a symbol of imperial power, circulating through society. Editor: It feels fragile too, despite its weight. All that has happened since then, all the hands it passed through. Do you think people felt connected to Salonina when they held it, like they were touching a piece of her world? Curator: Perhaps, but more likely, it affirmed the socio-political order, her image acting as a constant reminder of Roman authority. Editor: Maybe both? Art, even on coins, has a way of echoing through time, doesn't it? This coin gives me a curious sense of connection to a civilization long gone. Curator: It certainly bridges a gap, reminding us that power and everyday life were intertwined, even then. A tangible connection to Salonina's world, indeed.