Antoninianus of Valerian I c. 3th century

Curator: Up next, we have an Antoninianus of Valerian I housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s incredible to see how this small object carries such weight, almost a ghostly echo of imperial power. Curator: Indeed. The production of these coins under Valerian speaks volumes about the economic pressures and the state's reliance on minting to sustain itself. The materials, mostly debased silver, offer clues about the empire's financial state. Editor: And beyond the economics, consider the imagery and the statement it makes about imperial authority and propaganda during a period of crisis and the symbolic meaning in the figures chosen to be immortalized on such objects. Curator: Absolutely. Examining the labor involved and the social context of its production gives us insight into the broader networks of power at play. Editor: It makes one wonder, who handled this? What transactions did it witness? Such an artifact can become an entry point for discussing cultural exchange, trade, and even social inequality in the Roman Empire. A poignant reminder that every object has a story woven into the fabric of history. Curator: I agree; looking at the means and the materials reveals so much.