Antoninianus of Numerian 283 - 284

Curator: So, here we have an Antoninianus of Numerian, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small coin, likely around 3 grams. Funny, isn’t it, how something so tiny could represent an entire empire? Editor: I love the worn surface. It feels almost like a tangible link to the past—the bumps and scratches tell stories words simply can’t capture. What symbols are at play here? Curator: Well, you have the portrait of Numerian himself, and then on the reverse, a figure, maybe a depiction of Pax, the Roman goddess of peace, holding an olive branch. It's a common motif indicating prosperity under his rule. Editor: Peace portrayed on something used in trade – it’s a potent reminder of what underpins economic activity. I can’t help but wonder about its journey, who held it, and what they thought about peace or prosperity at that moment. Curator: It’s these silent witnesses that give me pause. What stories could they tell? Editor: Exactly, a tiny mirror reflecting humanity’s grand narrative.