AR Probus 277 - 282

Curator: This is an AR Probus, a coin created by Probus. It's being held at the Harvard Art Museums and weighs 3.69 grams. Editor: It's like holding history, isn't it? This coin whispers tales of emperors, commerce, and a world so different from ours. The patina alone tells a story of time. Curator: The composition is striking, featuring the bust of Probus on one side, exhibiting intricate detailing even in its small scale. On the other side, we observe a symbolic structure, possibly representing a temple. Editor: It feels weighty, not just in mass, but in the sense of what it represents: the power and reach of an empire distilled into this tiny, tarnished circle. It makes you wonder about the hands it passed through, the journeys it took. Curator: Indeed. The materiality itself is significant; the wear speaks to its circulation, its function as a medium of exchange. Editor: Exactly. It’s a physical link to a vanished world. I keep imagining it jingling in a merchant's pouch, buying bread, paying taxes... Curator: Precisely, and by understanding its design and wear, we can interpret not only its function but also glean insights into the aesthetics and cultural values of its time. Editor: Ultimately, it's a little miracle that something so small can evoke such grand narratives. Makes you think, doesn't it?