Denarius of Caracalla c. 215

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Caracalla, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so tiny yet carries a monumental weight! You can almost feel the coolness of the metal and the wear from being held, traded, and simply existing through time. Curator: Absolutely. This small silver coin speaks volumes about the Roman Empire’s vast reach. The image of Caracalla himself was carefully crafted for widespread distribution. Editor: And let's consider the labor involved. From the mining of the silver to the die striking, this reflects a sophisticated and hierarchical system of production. Curator: Exactly! Each coin reinforced Caracalla's power, acting as miniature propaganda distributed across the empire. It's a fascinating intersection of art, economics, and political messaging. Editor: It’s remarkable to think about how something so small connects to such sprawling networks of resources and power. Almost unbelievably concentrated. Curator: Yes, a potent reminder that even the smallest objects can tell the largest stories about the material world. Editor: I agree; examining the coin through a material lens certainly changes how we value it.