Denarius of Diadumenian c. 217 - 218

Editor: This is a Denarius of Diadumenian, a small silver coin currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The imagery seems quite formal, perhaps even a little severe. What symbolic weight does this imagery carry? Curator: Coins like this functioned as miniature billboards, circulating potent symbolic messages. The youthful portrait embodies hope for the future, while the reverse likely depicts military virtue or imperial power. Do you notice how the inscriptions act as framing devices? Editor: Yes, almost like a halo or a boundary. So, it’s not just currency, it’s a carefully constructed image of power. Curator: Precisely. It reveals how rulers shaped their image and legacy through carefully chosen symbols. Editor: Fascinating to see how even something so small can hold such significant cultural meaning. Curator: Indeed. This coin provides a tangible connection to a distant past.