Coin of Maximinus I c. 235 - 238

Curator: This is a coin of Maximinus I Thrax, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Even at 3.41 grams, its impact is mighty. Editor: It's amazing to think about the hands this small object has passed through, the markets and transactions it has witnessed! There's an energy in that. Curator: Precisely. The coin’s material tells a story: the silver content reflects the state of the Roman economy under Maximinus, his military campaigns required immense material wealth to supply troops and resources. Editor: And look at the imagery—Maximinus’s stern profile on one side, a goddess figure on the other. This coin speaks volumes about power, authority, and the symbolic language employed to maintain control. What does it mean that it continues to circulate in our contemporary cultural institutions? Curator: It underscores the enduring power of material culture. Even now, we can study production, labor, and the movement of raw materials. Editor: I find myself reflecting on how this object connects ancient governance with modern political theory. Curator: A powerful reminder of how intertwined our past is with our present. Editor: Absolutely, something to ponder long after viewing it.