Coin of Tomi under Maximinus(?) c. 3th century

Curator: This is a coin of Tomi, likely dating to the reign of Maximinus Thrax. Consider that it is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: There's something hauntingly beautiful about its aged patina. It’s a tangible link to a long-lost world. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like this served not only as currency but also as propaganda, disseminating the image and authority of the emperor throughout the Roman Empire. The politics of the time are really reflected here. Editor: It's a reminder that even the smallest objects can carry immense cultural weight. The state and its power structures always leave their mark. Curator: Exactly. This piece illuminates how power dynamics were quite literally circulated. Editor: Looking at it has made me think about economic agency and historical narratives. Curator: Indeed, it makes one consider the human stories behind these objects.