Quadrans of Trajan Decius 

Curator: Up next, we have a small bronze coin, a Quadrans of Trajan Decius, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the weight of history this unassuming object carries, all 4.54 grams of it! Curator: The visible wear and corrosion speak volumes about its journey through time. We're looking at an object that literally passed through countless hands. Editor: Exactly! And the images, though worn, hint at deeper narratives. I see what looks like portraits, emblems of power, perhaps? The semiotic weight is fascinating. Curator: Indeed. This coin, like so many others, isn't just currency; it's propaganda, a miniature billboard advertising the reign and values of Trajan Decius. Imagine the stories this little thing could tell. Editor: Ultimately, it’s a humble reminder of empires past, isn't it? Curator: Precisely. A tangible piece of history that you can almost feel connecting you to the ancient world.