Sestertius of Didius Julianus c. 193

Curator: At first glance, it appears quite worn and weathered, almost evoking a sense of resilience, despite its condition. Editor: Indeed. We're looking at a sestertius, a bronze coin featuring Didius Julianus. He briefly reigned as Roman Emperor in 193 AD. Its weight is 14.76 grams, and it resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Curator: That very brevity is key! The coin becomes less about Julianus, and more about power's fleeting nature, and how quickly it can be bought and sold. Editor: Absolutely. Julianus notoriously bought the emperorship at auction. This coin serves as a potent symbol of that transaction, and of the political turmoil of the time. The imagery chosen and its circulation tells us a lot about the Imperial message he wanted to convey. Curator: And that message, even centuries later, speaks volumes about the complexities of legitimacy and authority. Editor: A small object, yet a weighty reminder of the past's influence on our present. Curator: It underscores how our perception of value, be it monetary or symbolic, is always contextualized.