Quadrans of Trajan Decius c. 3th century

Curator: This is a Quadrans of Trajan Decius, a small bronze coin currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The coin's aged patina really speaks to me, a tangible connection to a distant past. Curator: As a form of currency, this coin provides a window into the economic and political structures of the Roman Empire during Trajan Decius' reign, a time of crises and challenges. Editor: Absolutely, and it makes me consider the lives touched by this object; who held it, what did they buy? It also prompts reflection on empires and the narratives they propagate. Curator: Indeed, coins served as propaganda tools, circulating the emperor's image and reinforcing his authority throughout the realm. Editor: It's a potent reminder how power embeds itself in everyday life, even in something as small as a coin. Curator: Considering its place within the broader narrative of Roman history offers new insights into our modern political landscape. Editor: I concur. Its existence makes history and its consequences feel less abstract.