Denarius of L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus, Rome 89 -88 BCE

Curator: This is a Roman silver denarius, minted by L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The crisp profile of the figure stands out, such intricate detail rendered on such a small scale. There's a stark clarity in the lines. Curator: Indeed. Roman coinage served as a powerful tool for propaganda. Coinage helped to circulate images and messages of authority. Editor: Note how the composition relies on a high-relief portrait, almost detached from the coin's surface, versus the flattened figures on the other side. What does that suggest? Curator: Perhaps the importance of lineage, of the weight of history literally pressing down. The Roman state was nothing if not traditional. Editor: It's amazing how much visual information they packed into a single coin. I'm struck by the craftsmanship. Curator: And by the messages it carried, shaping perceptions of power. Editor: A pocket-sized piece of art, rich with history and formal ingenuity.