Centenionalis of Constantius II, Aquileia 348 - 350

Curator: This coin, a Centenionalis of Constantius II from Aquileia, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums, whispers stories of the Roman Empire. Editor: Worn and earthy, like a piece of the ground itself holding the ghost of an emperor’s profile. Curator: Indeed. Its material composition reveals much about the era's metallurgical practices and the standardization of currency. The coin's weight, at 4.81 grams, speaks to imperial economic policy. Editor: But also, what did it feel like to hold this in your hand centuries ago? What small purchase did it represent? What journey did it undertake? Curator: A fascinating thought. The act of circulation itself, the transference of value and power. Editor: It's a tangible reminder of a vast empire, shrunk into this small, imperfect circle. I am left humbled.