Coin of Caesarea Mazaca under Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Curator: This is a coin from Caesarea Mazaca minted under Antoninus Pius, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so unassuming, almost worn smooth by time, but still weighty. It feels very tangible. Curator: Precisely. Consider the implications of this coin. It represents Roman imperial power projected into a distant province, a tool of economic and cultural control. Editor: The materiality of the coin is what strikes me. Silver, likely mined and processed through exploited labor, now stamped with the emperor's image to facilitate trade and solidify his authority. Curator: And that image, meant to convey power, now feels softened, democratized by the wear and tear of circulation. It's a reminder of the constant negotiation between representation and reality. Editor: It’s a stark example of how a simple object, a coin, embodies complex systems of power and labor. Curator: Indeed. This piece offers a glimpse into the sociopolitical landscape of the Roman Empire. Editor: A landscape written in metal.