Sestertius of Commodus c. 2th century

Curator: Here we have a sestertius of Commodus, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It has a primal feel, doesn't it? Weathered, worn smooth, like a river stone reflecting power. Curator: Indeed. The coin would have been made during Commodus' reign and bears his portrait. Can you see the hints of a profile? Editor: I do. Look at those markings! Almost like the coin has been consumed by time, a kind of symbolic return to the earth. It's really humbling to think about who held this. What did they buy? What did they dream? Curator: It makes you wonder about the stories it could tell. Coins were potent symbols; they spread not just currency, but also imperial propaganda. Each ruler sought to craft a carefully curated image. Editor: It’s a reminder that even the smallest, most functional objects can carry immense cultural weight. This little disc connects us to the vast span of Roman history. Curator: Absolutely. It's a powerful link to the past, brought to life through a single coin.