Coin of Crispus c. 326 - 327

Curator: This is a coin of Crispus, a Roman emperor who ruled in the early fourth century. Look closely at this artifact from the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels like holding time itself! Patinaed and worn, the coin whispers stories of hands long gone. Curator: Absolutely. The coin, likely made of bronze, would have circulated throughout the Roman Empire. Its value extended far beyond its material worth. It represents political power, imperial ideology, and economic exchange. Editor: I see a faint profile – almost ghostly. It makes me think about power and the impermanence of even the mightiest empires. Who remembers Crispus now? Curator: That’s a powerful point. Consider also the iconography on the reverse side; possibly a depiction of a fortified city gate. This imagery reinforces the idea of Roman authority and control. Editor: It’s a tiny monument to ambition…reduced to dust. Curator: Indeed. It prompts us to consider how empires rise and fall, how narratives are crafted and disseminated, and how even the smallest objects can bear witness to grand historical forces. Editor: So much contained in such a little space. You know, it reminds me that even history can be carried in your pocket.