Coin of Volgases I c. 51 - 78

Curator: This is a coin of Volgases I. These coins offer a glimpse into the economic and political landscape of his reign. Editor: It looks like a forgotten worry stone, something someone clutched tight when facing a tough choice. Curator: Volgases I ruled the Parthian Empire, a major power in the ancient world, roughly from 51 to 78 AD. Coinage was a key tool for projecting power and controlling commerce. Editor: The image on the coin seems worn down, almost like a ghost of an idea. I wonder what stories it could tell. Curator: The Harvard Art Museums holds this coin, a small piece of metal that connects us to a vast empire and its complex systems of governance. Editor: It's remarkable how something so tiny can still hold so much weight, so much history. Curator: It’s a reminder that art and power have been intertwined since the beginning. Editor: Exactly, and it's fascinating to think how this tiny coin reflects those very real power dynamics.