Coin of Resaina under Trajan Decius c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a coin from Resaina, minted under Trajan Decius. It's currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks...forlorn. Like a tiny, weathered world, holding secrets of empires past. Curator: Indeed. Coins, beyond their economic function, often became powerful tools of propaganda. Each symbol, each portrait, carefully chosen to convey authority and legitimacy. Editor: It's incredible to think that this object was once brand new, shining, passed from hand to hand. Now, it's a relic, whispering stories of the past. Curator: Precisely. Even its worn state and patina contribute to its narrative, adding layers of history and association. Editor: So much history imprinted on such a small surface, it makes you feel insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Curator: Perhaps, but it also highlights our enduring fascination with history, and the power of symbols to transcend time.