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

Curator: This is a coin of Comana under Caracalla, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It strikes me as a potent, if corroded, symbol of power. Editor: The worn texture and tarnished surface of the coin speak volumes about its journey through time and the hands it has passed through. What materials were used, and how would that have impacted the average citizen? Curator: Coins like these were tools of empire, normalizing Caracalla's rule. Who was deemed worthy of representation, and what did that signify for marginalized groups? Editor: Absolutely. The production of these coins involved labor, the extraction of raw materials, and the circulation of value that shaped ancient economies. Curator: Thinking about the iconography, it tells a controlled narrative of legitimacy. How might we deconstruct the power dynamics embedded within this coin? Editor: By considering the means of production and distribution, we can challenge the dominant narratives and uncover the underlying economic structures. A simple coin opens up a rich seam of social inquiry. Curator: Indeed. It leaves me pondering about the stories it silently carries from a distant past.