Coin of Amphipolis under Commodus? c. 2th century

Curator: What strikes me first about this coin is its state of decay, the corrosion speaks volumes. Editor: Indeed. This object, housed at the Harvard Art Museums, is identified as a coin of Amphipolis under Commodus. Curator: The weight, at 8.86 grams, suggests the material determined its value, but also its vulnerability to the elements. How was its value perceived then versus now? Editor: Coins like these, circulated by the emperor, were powerful tools. Commodus, infamous for his self-aggrandizement, used these coins for propaganda, solidifying his image and power. Curator: Precisely. The worn texture tells a story of circulation, of labor and exchange. It brings the macro of empire down to the micro of daily life. Editor: Considering its journey through time, it serves as a tangible link to understanding ancient politics and societal values. Curator: It prompts us to contemplate production and consumption, and how power manifests through the most ubiquitous of objects. Editor: Ultimately, a coin like this reveals how artifacts, embedded in complex social systems, shape and are shaped by history.