Coin of Licinius II, Nicomedia 321 - 324

Curator: Let's discuss this small but potent artifact from Nicomedia, a coin featuring Licinius II Caesar, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The immediate impression is one of wear and history. Its patinated surface speaks of countless transactions, pocketed and passed down through generations. Curator: The coin's material composition, likely bronze, points to the vast network of imperial mints striving to efficiently stamp and distribute power across the Roman Empire. Editor: And it isn't just a method of disbursing currency; it disseminates the image of power. Here, we see the idealized portrait, a symbol of the ruler, and on the reverse, likely a symbolic representation of victory or divine favor. Curator: Indeed. The act of striking these coins served a dual purpose: facilitating commerce and propagating imperial ideology. The subtle gradations in metal alloys reflect the economic climate of the time. Editor: So, it's a confluence of the economic and the symbolic, a fascinating convergence revealed on this tiny disc. Curator: Precisely. It reminds us of the profound interplay between labor, belief, and material culture in shaping our world. Editor: This coin offers a tangible connection to the past, sparking curiosity about the people who once held it.