Coin of Caracalla c. 2th century

Editor: This is a coin of Caracalla, whose exact date is unknown, but it’s located at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like silver, and the wear and tear really highlights its age. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Consider Caracalla's reign. His infamous decree, the "Constitutio Antoniniana," granted Roman citizenship to nearly all free people in the Empire. How does this coin, a symbol of imperial power, reflect or perhaps mask the social and political tensions of that time? Editor: So, the coin's image might be propaganda, obscuring underlying conflicts within the empire? Curator: Precisely. Think about the messages this coin would communicate across different social strata. What power dynamics are at play in its distribution and use? Editor: That's a really fascinating way to look at something as small as a coin. Thanks for expanding my perspective!