Sestertius of Caracalla c. 2th - 3th century

Curator: Here we have a sestertius, a Roman coin commissioned by Caracalla, weighing nearly 25 grams. It is part of the collection here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels ghostly, doesn't it? That verdigris like a patina of faded dreams on a slab of metal. Curator: The material composition speaks volumes about Roman economics, from the mines where the metal was extracted to the workshops where artisans meticulously stamped these images. Editor: And those tiny faces! I see ambition, ego, the weight of empire all compressed into that small circular form. It’s like holding history in the palm of your hand. Curator: Absolutely, these coins were tools of propaganda, circulating not just currency but the ruler's image and authority, consolidating power relations. Editor: Well, for me, it’s more about the echo of daily life, the touch of countless hands, the whispers of transactions long forgotten, all somehow embedded in the metal itself. Curator: A fascinating insight, highlighting how even the most functional object can resonate with such complex historical and human dimensions. Editor: Indeed. Makes you wonder who held this last and what stories it could tell.