Drachm of Vardanes I c. 40 - 45

Curator: We're looking at a Drachm of Vardanes I, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The artifact weighs a mere 3.53 grams. Editor: It feels like a portal—a tiny, worn disc that somehow whispers of empires. Curator: Indeed. Examining artifacts like this coin allows us to consider the narratives of power, trade, and identity construction in ancient Parthia. The ruler's portrait on one side and the inscription on the other served as powerful tools of communication. Editor: I wonder, what did someone buy with it? Bread? Or maybe a secret? It's amazing to think of all the hands it passed through. Curator: Precisely. These objects were part of the fabric of everyday life, yet they also participated in the grander scheme of imperial control and cultural dissemination. Editor: It makes you think about the weight of the past, pressed into something so small you could lose it in your pocket. Curator: Absolutely. Through careful analysis, we gain glimpses into these lost worlds, challenging dominant historical narratives. Editor: It's like holding a little secret, waiting to be unlocked. Curator: Right, let's leave our listeners with that powerful image.