Diobol of Alexandria under Antoninus Pius c. 146 - 147

Editor: This is a Diobol of Alexandria, made under Antoninus Pius, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a rather small coin, quite worn with age. What symbolic meaning might be embedded in such a commonplace object? Curator: Coins, especially ancient ones, function as powerful symbols of authority and cultural identity. Consider how the imagery, likely chosen by the emperor, would circulate and reinforce his power. Editor: So, the images are essentially propaganda? Curator: Precisely! In antiquity, visual symbols served as potent tools for disseminating cultural values and imperial narratives. This coin isn’t just currency; it's a cultural artifact, a vessel carrying encoded messages across time. Editor: That's fascinating; it really makes you think about the multiple layers of meaning in even the smallest objects. Curator: Indeed, and by studying those layers, we gain insights into the cultural memory and intended message of a specific era.