AR Trajan Decius 

Curator: Here we have an AR Trajan Decius coin from the Harvard Art Museums. It appears to be crafted from silver and weighs just over 4 grams. Editor: The immediate impression is one of decay, the coin's surface heavily worn, yet retaining a ghostly elegance. Curator: Note the crisp profile of Trajan Decius on the obverse, surrounded by radiating lines. The composition guides the eye inward, emphasizing the imperial gaze. Editor: I'm struck by the labor involved in its creation; each coin was meticulously struck, facilitating trade and cementing imperial power. The materiality speaks volumes. Curator: Indeed. And on the reverse, observe the figures. Semiotics would suggest these are representations of Roman virtues, reinforcing the ideals of the state. Editor: But we must also consider the workers who mined the silver, the social stratification inherent in its production. It wasn't merely about lofty ideals, but also about the very real conditions of labour. Curator: A compelling perspective. This coin, in its design and materiality, is more than mere currency; it is a miniature emblem of an empire. Editor: Precisely, and a testament to the hands that shaped it, both literally and figuratively.