Antoninianus of Claudius II c. 3th century

Curator: Here we see an Antoninianus of Claudius II Gothicus, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a weight of history evident even in the patina. The coin's diminutive size belies its symbolic heft. Curator: As a form, this coin served as propaganda. Notice the emperor's portrait—stern, idealized—communicating power and authority. Its materiality also matters. The composition of the metal and the act of striking each coin were vital signs of economic and political stability. Editor: Indeed. In its time, a coin like this would have moved through countless hands, witnessing everyday transactions and bearing silent witness to social currents. The imagery is not just decorative; it reinforces the social hierarchy. Curator: Precisely. The visual language speaks to Roman imperial ideology, even on this small scale. Editor: It really is something to hold so much history in the palm of your hand, isn’t it? A potent reminder.