coin of Probus 277 - 282

Curator: This is a coin of Probus, a small but significant artifact, weighing only 4.18 grams, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It feels cold, doesn't it? Ancient and weighty, despite its size. Like holding a tiny piece of history, worn smooth by time. Curator: Indeed. Note the composition: The obverse features a portrait of Probus himself, encircled by inscription. The reverse depicts a symbolic scene of concord, emphasizing themes of unity and imperial power. Editor: Power distilled into a pocket-sized form. Makes you wonder about the hands it passed through, the transactions it facilitated, the stories it could tell. It's a tangible connection to a vanished world. Curator: Precisely. The coin's materiality speaks to the durable nature of imperial ambition, its symbolism reinforcing the emperor's desired image. Editor: So much intention packed into such a small space. It’s a reminder that even the smallest objects can carry immense cultural and historical weight. Curator: A perfect microcosm of its era. Editor: Exactly, a perfect encapsulation of an empire.