Denarius of Caracalla c. 214

Editor: Here we have a silver denarius, a coin if you will, of Caracalla, housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It's so small, yet feels incredibly weighty with history. What stories do you think it whispers? Curator: Ah, Caracalla! He certainly made his mark, literally, on these coins. It’s a fascinating snapshot of imperial propaganda. Notice the rugged portrait; it exudes power, doesn’t it? It's almost like he's daring you to question his authority. Editor: I see it! And the figure on the reverse, who's that? Curator: That's probably a deity – perhaps Roma herself. Coins were a vital tool for emperors to project an image and message across their vast empire. Every detail, from the portrait to the inscription, was carefully considered. Can you imagine all the hands this little piece passed through? Editor: It's like holding a conversation with the past. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! I can only imagine the value this holds to history!