Antoninianus of Gallienus c. 3th century

Editor: This is an Antoninianus coin of Gallienus, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s striking to see the wear and tear on it. What historical narratives do you see embedded within this artifact? Curator: Well, consider the socio-political climate of Gallienus’s reign. The debasement of coinage was rampant, reflecting an unstable empire, rife with internal conflict and external threats. What does it mean when currency, a symbol of power and stability, is itself degraded? Editor: So, the coin's physical state mirrors the empire's decay? Curator: Precisely. It becomes a powerful commentary on the anxieties of the time. Editor: That's a compelling perspective. I hadn't considered the coin itself as a form of social critique. Curator: These objects are never just currency; they're tangible echoes of societal conditions.