Coin of Constantius II, Rome 352 - 355

Curator: Looking at this small coin, I sense the weight of history. It’s like holding a whisper from the past. Editor: Indeed. This is a Roman coin of Constantius II, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. It’s incredible how such a tiny object, just over 3 grams, can tell such a complex story. Curator: It's worn smooth, yet there is a regal profile etched on one side and some kind of military symbol on the other. Imagine the hands it passed through, the transactions it facilitated. It’s a tangible link to an emperor and his empire. Editor: Absolutely. These coins were powerful tools of propaganda. The emperor's image, carefully crafted and widely distributed, reinforced his authority throughout the vast Roman territories. Curator: There's a quiet beauty here too; even in its decay. A reminder that empires rise and fall, but art, in its many forms, endures. Editor: Yes, and that even the smallest artifact can offer us the largest perspectives.