Denarius of Caracalla c. 212

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Caracalla, minted during his reign as Roman Emperor. It's a small silver coin, weighing just over 3 grams. Editor: Funny, isn't it? This tiny, worn thing once held the weight of an empire’s ambitions. There's a stark, almost brutal feel to Caracalla's portrait. Curator: His image was carefully crafted, of course. Coinage was a powerful tool for projecting imperial power and communicating messages to the populace. Editor: I see a guy who wouldn't brook dissent. You can almost feel the weight of history, power, and maybe even a little paranoia, all pressed into that small piece of metal. Curator: Absolutely. And this specific coin, now housed at the Harvard Art Museums, represents not only an artifact of economic exchange but also a symbolic object. Editor: It makes you think about how we try to immortalize ourselves, and how time chews away at even the most imposing figures. Curator: Indeed. It's a reminder that even empires fade, leaving behind these small, tangible fragments of their existence. Editor: A perfect reminder that the mighty also crumble, and sometimes all that's left is pocket change.