Coin of Neapolis under Philip I c. 244 - 249

Curator: This weathered coin, held at the Harvard Art Museums, is attributed to Philip I and II. Look closely; it's a tangible piece of history, speaking volumes despite its age. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by its state. The heavy patina suggests its journey through time, the feel of it. What stories could this little object tell about ancient economies, about who handled it, what they bought? Curator: Indeed. Each side bears a distinct image—one, a portrait of Philip, the other, a scene depicting a wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. Imagine the hands it passed through! Editor: It's interesting how something so small could be a powerful tool of propaganda. The material itself—likely bronze—speaks of accessibility, mass production, and the empire's ambition. Curator: Absolutely, and the artistry, however worn, still conveys the power and mythology of the era, reminding us of the empire's reach. It's a symbol of their cultural ambitions. Editor: A compact, potent symbol. It makes me think about our relationship with value, with images and how they circulate to influence us, even now. Curator: Ultimately, it's a fragment that connects us to a distant past.