Antoninianus of Philip II c. 3th century

Curator: This object is an Antoninianus of Philip II, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums, weighing a mere 3.8 grams. Editor: It looks like it’s been through a lot! All that verdigris gives it a sort of beautiful decay, a ghostly vibe. Curator: The verdigris, or copper carbonate, is a product of oxidization. Its presence disrupts a purely formal reading, obscuring the original surface and demanding we consider the passage of time. Editor: True, but it also adds this amazing texture! You can almost feel the history embedded in those little green spots. Like it’s grown its own little garden of secrets. Curator: Indeed, that patina offers a lens through which we can contemplate value, preservation, and the semiotic weight of archaeological objects. Editor: I see it as a tiny portal, whispering tales of emperors and empires, fortunes won and lost. Makes you wonder who held it last. Curator: Ultimately, whether approached through its intrinsic materiality or imaginative projection, it embodies both history and enduring aesthetic potential. Editor: Well, it definitely gives “pocket change” a whole new meaning. Thanks for sharing your insights!