Quinarius of L. Calpurnius L.f. L.n. Piso Frugi, Rome c. 90 BCE

Curator: This is a Quinarius created by L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi in ancient Rome, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels surprisingly modern, in a way. Such simple lines and shapes, yet it conveys a sense of power, a weight of history. Curator: Indeed. Note the calculated composition. On one side, we see a depiction of Roma, the personification of the city, while the other features a triumphant Victory figure. Editor: It makes me wonder about the hands that held it, the transactions it facilitated, a tangible connection to a distant past. Curator: And how its materiality contributes to its meaning. The silver from which it's made lent it intrinsic value. Editor: I find myself wondering about the stories this coin could tell if it could speak. Curator: Its very existence tells a story of power, trade, and artistic intention. Editor: It's a small, humble object that reveals such profound insights. Curator: A testament to the enduring power of art, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely.