AE Gratian 

Curator: Here we have an ancient coin, identified as AE Gratian, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's striking how much history is etched into such a small, unassuming object, isn’t it? The wear and tear tell a story all their own. Curator: Indeed. Coins like this were crucial tools of imperial power. The portrait, likely of Emperor Gratian, served as a constant reminder of his authority throughout the empire. Editor: And the imagery! On the reverse, we see a figure holding what looks like a labarum, a Christian military standard. Its symbolism must have resonated profoundly, a fusion of imperial and religious power. Curator: Exactly. Consider the context: the late Roman Empire, grappling with political instability and religious shifts. This coin becomes a propaganda piece, reinforcing Gratian’s legitimacy in a time of upheaval. Editor: Thinking about the iconography, it's a powerful blend of the traditional and the emergent, isn't it? Each element carefully chosen to convey very specific meaning. Curator: Absolutely. The coin reveals much about how rulers sought to legitimize their power through carefully crafted imagery and its circulation. Editor: It’s fascinating how much cultural weight can be packed into something so small.