coin of Gangra-Germanicopolis, Caracalla c. 198 - 211

Curator: This ancient coin of Gangra-Germanicopolis, bearing the effigy of Caracalla, weighs just over 11 grams and resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Gosh, it looks like it’s been through a lot, doesn't it? Like holding history in your hand...if it wasn’t behind glass. Sort of worn, but with a strange, enduring dignity. Curator: Absolutely. These coins were more than just currency. Minted during Caracalla's reign, they served as propaganda, disseminating his image and projecting imperial power across the Roman Empire. Editor: It’s incredible to think of this little thing traveling far and wide, seen by so many different eyes. I wonder what it bought, what stories it could tell if it could talk. Curator: Exactly. The imagery of Caracalla, even on such a small scale, had a powerful impact, shaping perceptions and reinforcing his authority across diverse populations. Editor: It makes you wonder how much of our own currency is about power and perception, more than just the exchange of goods. Curator: Precisely. This coin, in its modest way, reminds us that art and power have always been intertwined. Editor: And also, the enduring connection to the past. It is something to contemplate.