Sestertius of Commodus 

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius of Commodus from the Harvard Art Museums. It’s darkened with age, but even so, it feels potent. What stories do you see in this coin? Curator: This coin whispers of power, Editor. Consider the emperor’s image: what does it project? Think about the eagle, too. How might it have signified Roman dominance to the people? Editor: The eagle definitely conveys strength. So, the symbolism reinforces Commodus’ authority? Curator: Precisely! It’s a calculated projection of power, echoing through millennia. Even the material itself, the bronze, carries a weight of historical significance. Editor: That makes me consider the conscious effort in constructing that image. Curator: Indeed. A coin isn't just currency, it's cultural memory compressed into a portable object.