Coin of Nicaea under Valerian c. 3th century

Curator: This is a coin of Nicaea under Valerian, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It appears quite distressed; the patina suggests a rich, mineral history, almost topographic. Curator: Indeed. The surface degradation reveals its base material, hinting at the original process of striking coins—a technology of immense social and economic influence. Editor: Consider the labor involved, from mining the metal to the artisanry of die-making. The coin embodies a convergence of resources, skill, and the political will to disseminate power. Curator: I am captivated by its symbolism. Note how the circular form itself embodies notions of unity and completeness. Editor: Beyond symbolic readings, it's a tactile object that literally passed through countless hands; the very embodiment of a transactional object. Curator: It is fascinating to see how formalism and materialism can both illuminate this humble object. Editor: Agreed. The history of this coin resonates deeply, even beyond its aesthetic qualities.