Denarius of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Curator: This is a denarius of Antoninus Pius, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks like it's been through a lot, doesn't it? A real survivor. Curator: Indeed, its condition speaks volumes about its journey through time and use. These coins were critical to daily Roman life. Editor: Money talks. I mean, each coin tells a story—the value of silver, labor conditions, the emperor’s image, the circulation of propaganda. I wonder how many hands this passed through. Curator: A tiny sculpture meant to inspire confidence, now a quiet witness to the ebb and flow of empires. Editor: It's intriguing how something so small can carry so much weight, both literally and figuratively, throughout history. Curator: Absolutely. And what’s even more fascinating is considering the future hands that will hold it.