Coin 

Curator: This unassuming object is a Byzantine coin, of indeterminate date, from the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My initial impression is of something elemental, really—earth and metal, worn smooth by time. Curator: Absolutely. Note the texture: the relief is softened, but the formal composition of the imperial imagery persists. Editor: Indeed, these symbols of power are so durable; even in this eroded state, one can sense the ambition of an empire. The implications of value, wealth, and dominion, resonate still. Curator: The coin's circular form is also interesting; the circle denotes continuity and wholeness. Editor: It’s fascinating to see how these symbols have endured across cultures and eras, adapting to new contexts. Curator: A fitting reminder that our understanding of images evolves over time. Editor: Yes, and that history truly has a shape—and perhaps even a weight.