Antoninianus of Philip I c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus of Philip I, the Arab, held in the Harvard Art Museums, a small coin weighing just over 4 grams. Editor: It’s like holding a whisper of history, isn’t it? I find myself wondering who last held it, the stories it could tell. Curator: These coins were more than just currency; they were propaganda. Philip used them to legitimize his rule after a period of turmoil. Editor: Ah, the ever-present desire to make a mark, to be remembered. It's a bit weathered, isn’t it? As if time itself is trying to soften the edges of power. Curator: Indeed. The camel on the reverse side is particularly interesting—a clear nod to his Arabian origins and Rome's expanding reach. Editor: It feels both intimate and grand, this tiny object with echoes of empire. What lasting impressions, do you think, did these leave on those who handled them? Curator: A constant reminder of the emperor's presence and power, influencing daily life and shaping perceptions of Roman authority. Editor: Yes, art shaping life. It’s a powerful reminder that even the smallest objects can carry the weight of history.