Sestertius of Philip I c. 244 - 249

Curator: This is a sestertius of Philip I, also known as Philip the Arab. The coin, now part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, offers insight into the socio-political history of the Roman Empire. Editor: It looks rough, doesn't it? Heavily patinated. I'm drawn to the color, this almost verdigris green that speaks of age, of being buried, maybe forgotten. Curator: Indeed. As currency, the sestertius held significant economic power, but its imagery also served as propaganda, reinforcing the emperor’s authority and projecting Roman ideals. Editor: Coins were a form of mass communication, weren't they? What narratives were being subtly ingrained in the populace? And who was excluded from those stories? Curator: Exactly. A study of coinage allows us to understand the nuances of Roman rule and its impact on diverse populations across the empire. Editor: This small object really holds a lot, doesn’t it? The weight of history, power, and the unseen stories of marginalized voices.