AR Valerian II 

Curator: Before us, we have a silver coin, AR Valerian II, attributed to Valerian II himself, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. Its small size belies its historical weight. Editor: It looks like it's been through a lot. I'm immediately drawn to the worn texture. It gives the piece such a fragile, fleeting quality, like a memory fading at the edges. Curator: Indeed. The portrait of Valerian II, though partially eroded, still conveys a sense of imperial authority. And then, on the reverse, we see a figure, possibly a deity or allegorical representation, riding some sort of fantastical creature. Editor: That figure reminds me of a fallen angel. Even though it represents power, its current fragmented state evokes a melancholic feeling. The coin seems to whisper stories of empires crumbled and lives long past. Curator: A poignant reflection. It makes you wonder, what hands did this pass through? Editor: Exactly. It makes you wonder what secrets this small piece holds.