Coin, Ostrogothic c. 5th century

Curator: Up next, we have a small but weighty piece of history: an Ostrogothic coin, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It looks like time itself has been etched onto its surface. A quiet, almost mournful object. Curator: Quite right. These coins, possibly commissioned by Justin I, served as more than just currency; they were statements of power, circulating within a kingdom grappling with identity. Editor: Note the way the patination has softened the relief. The details are worn, making the imperial imagery almost abstract. Curator: It's remarkable to consider the hands it passed through, the transactions it facilitated, the stories it could tell. Editor: A humble artifact holding echoes of empires risen and faded. Curator: Precisely, a potent reminder of history's enduring presence.