Coin of the Leuci Tribe of Gaul under Augustus 31 BCE-14 CE

Editor: This is a coin of the Leuci tribe of Gaul under Augustus, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, bronze, and weathered. What strikes me is how this tiny object embodies a complex relationship between a local tribe and the Roman Empire. What do you think about this piece? Curator: It’s fascinating to consider how coinage, even at this local level, served as a tool for disseminating political imagery and Roman power. How did the Leuci negotiate their own identity while adopting Roman iconography, and how were coins used in public rituals? The inscription itself tells a story. Editor: So, even something this small played a role in shaping public perception and asserting authority? I hadn't considered that. Curator: Exactly. And the condition of the coin – its wear and tear – speaks to its circulation, its everyday use, and its role in the lives of ordinary people. Editor: That’s really insightful, thinking about the life of the coin itself. I'll never look at ancient coins the same way again.