Sestertius of Philip I c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a sestertius, a bronze coin, of Philip I, also known as Philip the Arab. It's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It looks ancient, like something found buried in the earth, still holding a faint echo of Roman power. Curator: Its materiality tells a story—bronze as a common metal, circulating through society. The act of minting, a state-controlled process, speaks of economic and political organization. Editor: Exactly, power stamped onto metal. I wonder about the hands that touched this coin, the markets it passed through, the everyday transactions that built an empire. It's more than just currency, it's a tangible link to another world. Curator: Yes, and the wear and tear show it had a long, useful life. Considering the material production and how it relates to the culture is very important. Editor: It’s like holding history in your palm, isn't it? All that has passed. Curator: Indeed. A small, but weighty, object.