Coin of Perge under Tranquillina 241 - 244

Curator: Here we have a coin from Perge minted under Tranquillina, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, of course, but quite weighty at over nine grams. Editor: The coin's patina gives it a somber, almost ghostly presence. The wear speaks volumes. Curator: Indeed. Coins like this were more than just currency. They were tools of imperial propaganda, circulating specific images and messages throughout the empire. Editor: The female figure on one side, presumably Tranquillina herself, projects an aura of strength and authority, but the style is fairly conventional. Curator: Absolutely, the imagery aimed to reinforce the legitimacy and power of the ruling family. It connected them to traditional Roman virtues and deities. Editor: Beyond the political message, I see a tangible link to the past, worn smooth by countless transactions. It’s almost a miniature time capsule. Curator: And it reminds us that even the smallest objects can offer profound insights into the social and political dynamics of the past. Editor: It leaves me pondering the hands this coin passed through, each exchange a tiny echo of history.