Antoninianus of Gallienus c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus of Gallienus, a small coin currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so fragile, like holding a whisper from a long-gone world. Curator: These coins served a critical function during Gallienus' reign, offering a glimpse into Roman imperial power and its strategies for legitimization. Editor: I can almost feel the weight of it, not just physical but the weight of an empire resting in my palm. A tiny artifact holding a story of immense political forces. Curator: Exactly. The imagery and inscriptions were carefully chosen to project an image of strength and stability during a turbulent period, acting as propaganda. Editor: It makes you wonder about the hands it passed through, the pockets it jingled in, the stories it silently witnessed. I feel a strange connection with this coin. Curator: It's amazing how such a small object can evoke such powerful feelings and historical perspectives. Editor: Absolutely. It really does put our own time in perspective, doesn't it?