Denarius of C. Servilius Vatia, Rome c. 127

Curator: What strikes me immediately is the patina, that aged silver surface. Editor: Today we’re looking at a Denarius of C. Servilius Vatia, Rome, created by the moneyer C. Servilius Vatia. It resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Curator: The composition is rather striking. Note the helmeted head of Minerva in profile, the details of the crest, and the sharp, clean lines. Editor: And on the reverse, we see a horseman in full gallop, a narrative of Roman power and conquest being literally stamped for circulation. The coin acted as a propaganda tool, reinforcing Roman values. Curator: Indeed. The die-cutter's skill in rendering such detail on such a small scale is remarkable. Editor: It's a powerful reminder that even the smallest objects can carry immense cultural weight. The weight of empire, in this case, both literally and figuratively.