Coin of Colophon under Valerian c. 3th century

Curator: Immediately, the coin evokes the weight of empires past. The verdigris speaks volumes. Editor: Indeed. This is a bronze coin of Colophon under Valerian, weighing 7.42 grams, presently held within the Harvard Art Museums. Colophon was a very old city, one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League in Asia Minor. Curator: Note the image of Valerian. The numismatic portrait itself becomes a symbol, representing power, legacy, and the very projection of imperial identity. Editor: Absolutely, and coins like these facilitated trade and reinforced Roman authority across vast distances. Imagine the hands it passed through. Curator: A powerful artifact, bridging the personal and political. Each coin reflects enduring influence, resonating through time. Editor: It reminds us that even small objects can carry enormous historical weight.