Coin of Claudius II (?), Rome c. 270

Editor: This is a Roman coin, possibly of Claudius II, from the Harvard Art Museums collection. The green patina really stands out. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This coin is fascinating. It's not just an image, but a unit of exchange, tied to labor, resources, and imperial power. The material, likely bronze, speaks volumes about Roman mining, metallurgy, and trade routes. How was it produced, distributed, and used? Editor: So, it's less about the portrait and more about what it represents materially? Curator: Exactly! Think about the labor involved in extracting the metal, the skill in minting the coin, and its role in the Roman economy. Its existence depended on the exploitation of land and people. Editor: I never thought of a coin having such a layered history. Thanks for the insight! Curator: And I hadn't considered the chemistry of the green patina, interesting how we can approach the same object with such different angles!