Antoninianus of Gallienus c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus of Gallienus, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the transformation time has wrought. That verdigris patina—it's like the coin is breathing with the secrets of the ages. Curator: This was, essentially, ancient propaganda. Gallienus, who ruled during a tumultuous period, used these coins to project an image of power and stability. Editor: So, a king using his own face to build public support. Does it still work? Or are we just numbing the message. Curator: It’s a complex interplay of politics, economics, and art. These coins remind us that even the smallest objects can carry immense cultural weight. Editor: Absolutely. The weight of history, quite literally, in your palm. Curator: Indeed. This small coin offers a tangible link to the vast Roman Empire, and the man who steered its course. Editor: It invites a feeling of connection, doesn't it? Almost makes you think you could change history.