Sestertius of Caracalla 

Curator: Well, isn't this something? A Sestertius of Caracalla, weathered and worn, carrying stories in its copper-y bones. The Harvard Art Museums are lucky to have it. Editor: It has such a haunted feel, doesn’t it? Like a tiny, portable ghost of an empire. I’m immediately drawn to the patina, a map of time etched onto metal. Curator: Absolutely! It's more than just currency; it's a billboard of power, a piece of propaganda. Caracalla, as the artist, immortalizes himself—laurels, stern profile—all meticulously crafted. The reverse side shows us something about civic virtues. Editor: It's fascinating how these images linger in our collective psyche. The laurel wreath—a symbol of victory, of achievement. And even with the wear, the weight of Roman symbolism is palpable. What narratives do you think it whispers to modern eyes? Curator: Narratives of ambition, surely, and of legacy. But also, perhaps, of the fleeting nature of power. Even emperors fade, leaving behind only traces. Editor: Fleeting, yes, but potent traces. This little coin is a reminder that symbols outlive us, shaping perceptions across centuries. Amazing to think about.