Antoninianus of Probus 277 - 282

Curator: It's remarkable how much history can be held in just a few grams. This is an Antoninianus, a coin minted under the Roman Emperor Probus, and it's now part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's incredible, a literal fragment of an empire! The worn texture whispers of countless hands it must have passed through. Curator: Exactly! The portrait of Probus on one side, facing right, and likely a symbolic image of abundance or victory on the other. These images were carefully selected to project power and ensure economic confidence. Editor: Symbols of stability, especially during a time of crisis in the Roman Empire. Seeing those images, I think about the power of propaganda and how coins like this served as tools of political messaging. Curator: Absolutely. Even the material itself, the copper alloy, speaks to the empire's vast resources and organizational power. Small objects, vast implications. Editor: It’s a reminder that even the smallest artifacts offer a window into understanding the grand narratives of history.