AR Probus 277 - 282

Curator: Here we have an AR Probus coin, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs a mere 4.08 grams. Editor: It's remarkable, isn't it? Holding history in your hand, I can feel the stories etched into that tiny circular space. Like a portal, almost. Curator: The obverse displays a portrait, while the reverse shows a figure, perhaps symbolic of abundance or prosperity. Note the considered arrangement of lettering around the edges, creating a sense of contained order. Editor: I keep thinking about the wear and tear. Every scratch, every imperfection is a tiny echo of transactions, of lives touched. It's like listening to the whispers of the past. Curator: Indeed. We might interpret this object as a carefully constructed expression of imperial power and economic stability. Editor: Or maybe just a pocketful of wishes clinking together, waiting for the right moment to be spent. Either way, it's beautiful. Curator: A compelling notion, and a reminder that even the most functional objects can resonate with unexpected meaning. Editor: Right. And that’s what makes staring at this little coin so completely engaging.