Sestertius of Maximus c. 3th century

Curator: This is a Sestertius of Maximus, a copper alloy coin featuring the Roman Caesar. It's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's striking how the patination creates an almost painterly surface. The deep reds and browns suggest a history etched in time, a palpable sense of age. Curator: Indeed. Coins like these were not just currency; they were propaganda tools. The images and inscriptions conveyed power and legitimacy, shaping public perception of the ruler. Editor: I see the ghost of a profile on one side, a field of symbols on the other. The circular form itself speaks to notions of completeness and dominion. Curator: Exactly. Owning and distributing these coins was one way Maximus established himself as legitimate, even if briefly, during a tumultuous period in Roman history. Editor: Looking at this little object, one feels a direct link to the vast Roman Empire, its ambitions, and the individuals who shaped its course.