Coin of Antioch under Antoninus Pius 138 - 161

Curator: Today we’re looking at a coin of Antioch under Antoninus Pius, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It has such a somber feel to it. The patina gives it a ghostly aura. Curator: Absolutely. The coin's materiality speaks volumes. The wear from circulation, the composition of metals—likely bronze or copper—tell us of trade routes and economic activity. Editor: It prompts questions of power: Who is depicted here? What messages are embedded in its design? Whose face was valued enough to be stamped onto currency? Curator: Indeed. The coin acted as a tool for disseminating imperial propaganda. Its production involved laborers, workshops, and distribution networks, each layer adding to its social biography. Editor: So, it links a single object to broader political, economic and social currents. I see it as a little symbol of power imbalances that still echo today. Curator: Precisely! By studying the means of production, we unpack the coin’s significance beyond its face value. Editor: What a reminder of the multiple stories a single object can hold. Curator: It offers a tangible glimpse into the past, reminding us of the human hands and socio-political forces that shaped it.