Coin of Carrhae under Caracalla c. 2th - 3th century

Curator: Here we have a "Coin of Carrhae under Caracalla," residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, and instantly evokes the weight of history, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely, but that weight is literal too. At 4.18 grams, you can imagine its materiality reflecting trade routes, the labor of extraction, and the complex economy of the Roman Empire. Curator: Right! And it's Caracalla himself who put this piece out into the world. I wonder, did he ever imagine someone centuries later would ponder the emotions locked into this object? Editor: Perhaps he imagined the continuation of his rule, facilitated by something as mundane as this coin, and crafted by anonymous artisans. This little thing tells the story of big power. Curator: It really is a humble messenger, still whispering stories after all this time. Editor: Indeed, and it’s in these overlooked objects that you find some of the most fascinating materials of history.