Coin of Byblos under Caracalla c. 188 - 217

Curator: This is a coin from Byblos, commissioned under the rule of Caracalla. It's held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's striking how something so small carries so much weight, both literal and historical. The wear tells a silent story. Curator: The image of Caracalla on one side is deliberate, of course. Coinage was a primary method to disseminate imperial power and influence. Editor: And the reverse? Those vertical lines...do they symbolize something specific about Byblos, perhaps its architecture or natural resources? Curator: Most likely, yes. Symbols on coins functioned like miniature billboards, reminding people of local identity under Roman rule. Editor: It's humbling to think of this little piece passing through countless hands. Curator: Precisely. A small artifact that represents vast cultural and political systems. Editor: Really gives you a new appreciation for what is in your pocket.