Antoninianus of Gallienus c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus, a Roman coin issued under the reign of Emperor Gallienus. It's currently held in the collections of the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels weighty, doesn't it? Not in mass, but in history—like holding a tiny, silent scream from the past. Curator: Indeed, these coins were more than just currency; they were propaganda tools, circulating images of imperial power and authority throughout the vast Roman Empire. Editor: It's fascinating how such a small object could carry such grand ambitions. I imagine the artist, hunched over this tiny metal canvas, wrestling with ideas of legacy and permanence. Curator: The images and inscriptions would have been carefully chosen to project specific messages about the emperor's strength, legitimacy, and divine favor. Editor: And now, it's like peering through a keyhole into a world utterly transformed. One can almost feel the weight of its journey through time. Curator: Absolutely, this small coin offers a powerful connection to the political landscape of the Roman Empire. Editor: A connection forged in metal, worn smooth by countless hands, and whispering tales of emperors and empires, lost and found.