Ten Centime Coin 1870

Curator: Here we have a “Ten Centime Coin” by Eugene André Oudiné, part of the numismatic collection at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, it looks like it has journeyed through time itself. The patina tells such a story! Curator: Indeed. Coins like this circulated widely, embodying the economic and social fabric of their time. Their imagery was meticulously designed to convey authority and national identity. Editor: It's odd how something so small held such power, influencing daily life, trade, and even revolution. I find myself wondering what hands this coin has passed through. Curator: That's the fascinating thing about numismatics. These coins weren't just money; they were also carriers of political symbolism. Each coin has been a witness to social and economic shifts. Editor: Looking at its worn surface, it makes me think of the everyday realities of life from so long ago, and how we are all connected through the history of exchange.