Denarius of Caracalla c. 210 - 213

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Caracalla, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's incredible how something so small can feel so monumental, isn’t it? All that weight, distilled into silver. Curator: Absolutely. The coin’s imagery provides a fascinating glimpse into Roman power structures. On one side, we see Caracalla himself, his portrait a symbol of authority. Editor: And on the other, a figure that seems to represent abundance or maybe just a generalized idea of Roman virtue. The images are worn, but their message remains. Curator: The wear and tear, in a way, enhances the coin. Each scratch tells a story of its journey through history, its passage through countless hands. Editor: It almost feels like holding a piece of time, doesn’t it? This little coin has seen emperors rise and fall, empires crumble. Curator: It certainly makes you wonder about the stories it could tell, if it could talk! Editor: Exactly! I'm left thinking about how symbols persist, morph, and reflect our deepest values.