Antoninianus of Caracalla c. 2th - 3th century

Editor: This is an Antoninianus coin of Caracalla, located at the Harvard Art Museums. It's incredible to hold something so old, but what strikes me is how worn it is. What can we learn from a piece like this? Curator: Well, consider the role of currency. Coins like this weren't just money; they were propaganda. Caracalla's image, replicated and circulated widely, projected power and authority throughout the Roman Empire. Editor: So the wear and tear tell a story of constant handling and circulation? Curator: Precisely. Each scratch represents a transaction, a moment of exchange. The coin becomes a tangible link to the past, a public symbol touched by countless hands. Editor: That's fascinating. Thinking about it as a public object gives me a whole new perspective. Curator: Indeed. It demonstrates how art, even in the form of currency, plays a vital role in shaping perceptions and reinforcing power structures.