Coin of Alexandreia Troas under Commodus c. 177 - 192

Curator: Here we have a coin of Alexandreia Troas under Commodus, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, with a weight of about 2.99 grams. Editor: It looks quite worn and humble, really, like a forgotten token despite its imperial association. Curator: The coin's physical erosion speaks to its materiality, its passage through time and hands. The effigy of Commodus, though faded, still hints at power. Editor: It's fascinating how something so small could represent the vast reach of Roman imperial authority, and how those in power legitimized themselves through symbolism and visual messaging on everyday objects. Curator: Indeed, the composition of the coin—the defined portrait against a blank field—focuses attention on imperial authority. Editor: And yet, this very object reminds us how even empires crumble, and how history shapes even the smallest objects. Curator: Precisely. The coin is a layered artifact, where form and context intertwine in subtle but significant ways. Editor: A potent reminder that even the mightiest fall.