Denarius of L. Farsuleius Mensor, Rome c. 75 BCE

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of L. Farsuleius Mensor. This Roman coin, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient Roman iconography and craftsmanship. Editor: My first impression is that the imagery is stark, yet somehow powerful. The figures are so small, and the metal worn, but I can still sense the might of the empire embedded in its details. Curator: Indeed. The composition of the coin is quite deliberate. One side features a bust, perhaps a deity, rendered in profile. The other shows a figure in a chariot pulled by horses. Editor: Which likely speaks to themes of power and conquest, but also patronage. Who was Mensor and what was he trying to say through these carefully chosen images? Curator: Precisely. The line work, even on such a small scale, suggests skill and a sophisticated understanding of form. Editor: This little coin really does open a window onto the political and cultural narratives of the Roman world. It makes me wonder about the hands it passed through. Curator: It's a testament to the enduring power of art, even in miniature form. Editor: Absolutely. A small object, but a vast story.