Coin of Olbia, time of the Emperor Commodus c. 2th century

Curator: This coin, dating to the time of Emperor Commodus, was minted in Olbia and resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels ancient, almost like a relic pulled straight from the earth. The textures and patinas are phenomenal! Curator: Indeed. The coin’s materiality—likely bronze—and its circular form facilitate its function as both a symbol and a medium of exchange. The obverse likely depicts Commodus, but the damage obscures definitive identification. Editor: And the reverse looks like some figure with a staff? There's a story here—a whole civilization imprinted onto this little disc. It's really kind of beautiful in its decay. Curator: The visual language of numismatics provides insights into political and economic structures of the Roman Empire. Editor: Absolutely. To hold it would be like touching history. Curator: Precisely. It's a tangible link to a distant past. Editor: This coin is an interesting portal.