Coin of Nicomedia under Maximus Caesar c. 235 - 238

Curator: Before us is a coin of Nicomedia, struck under Maximus Caesar, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums and weighing 5.63 grams. Editor: Immediately, the textures are striking. The worn surfaces, the patina—it speaks of time, of touch, and of stories buried and unearthed. Curator: Note the circular form and the raised relief. The obverse displays Caesar’s portrait, while the reverse shows a symbolic representation of the city, encapsulating power through visual economy. Editor: Coins functioned as potent symbols. The choice of imagery would have communicated the ruler's authority and civic values; they were a form of propaganda. Curator: Precisely, the composition balances idealization with practicality. The circular shape and metallic composition inherently limit and define the artistic possibilities. Editor: A tangible link to the past, a silent witness to the rise and fall of empires. Curator: Indeed. Its material presence offers a stark reminder of the passage of time and the enduring power of visual representation.