Coin of Parion under Commodus c. 2th century

Curator: This is a coin of Parion under Commodus, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. I see it weighs just over 7 grams. Editor: The coin looks worn, almost like a flattened disc of earth. It speaks of an age long gone, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. These coins weren't just currency; they were imperial messaging, circulating images of power and authority throughout the empire. Editor: Made through die-striking—a process involving skilled labor and specific tools—these coins were mass-produced. How fascinating to think of the hands this object passed through. The common person touched by the emperor, however indirectly. Curator: Exactly. And the choice of imagery, likely controlled by imperial decree, served to reinforce Commodus's vision of himself and his reign to the wider public. Editor: This humble artifact offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between power, production, and everyday life in the Roman Empire. Curator: Indeed. It is a poignant reminder of the material culture that shaped public perception.