Coin of Apameia-Kibotos under Caracalla 188 - 217

Curator: This is a coin from Apameia-Kibotos under Caracalla, presently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Its aged surface makes me think of secrets buried in the earth, a whisper from a bygone empire trying to be heard. Curator: Precisely. The coin, attributed to Caracalla, offers a glimpse into the emperor's reign and the artistic conventions of the time, even if its materiality is quite humble. Editor: I see the portrait… a stern profile, quite typical, but the wear adds a layer of drama, don't you think? It makes him almost... vulnerable? Curator: An interesting perspective! Perhaps it's a testament to the enduring power of art to outlive its creators, and for us to reimagine them. Editor: Exactly! This little disc embodies so much history, philosophy, and art... It has been transformed through time.