Antoninianus of Maximian 285 - 288

Curator: This is an Antoninianus of Maximian, created by Maximianus I Herculius, held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks like it's been through the wars, or maybe just buried for a few centuries. It's a fascinating, weathered green color. Curator: Indeed. Coins such as this were used not just as currency, but as propaganda. The imagery and inscription served to reinforce the emperor's power. Editor: The portrait is still quite striking, even with the wear and tear. I see a radiate crown. What does it tell us? Curator: The radiate crown is a visual symbol associated with the sun god Sol, linking the emperor to divinity and projecting an image of strength and vitality. Editor: It’s amazing how a tiny object can carry so much cultural weight. Curator: It certainly speaks volumes about the strategies employed to shape perceptions of power during the Roman Empire. Editor: A little worn, a little green, but still shimmering with history.