First/Hand Fridays for Harvard Students—Exploring Ancient Coins

This event does not require registration; see further details below.

Join us for First/Hand Fridays—monthly events in the Art Study Center where museum staff bring original works of art out of storage for Harvard students to discuss and enjoy!

In this session, we’ll delve into some of the rarest and most intriguing coins from ancient Greece and Rome. Discover some of the earliest coins ever made and explore why this revolutionary technology first appeared in Turkey around 640 BCE. We’ll examine how different cultures adapted and transformed coin designs, like the fascinating Celtic coins that abstract images from Greek models. You’ll also get a glimpse into the lives of the skilled yet mysterious artists who crafted these miniature works of art. Plus, don’t miss the chance to hold in your hands one of history’s most famous coins—the denarius minted by Brutus to commemorate the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE!

First/Hand Fridays take place on the first Friday of each month. In these specially designed sessions for students, you’ll experience art like never before: get up close and personal with works you can’t see in the galleries, chat with our staff about objects they love, and explore the many ways you can engage with our collections—whether for a class or just for fun.

Students are free to drop by anytime between 2pm and 4pm (keep in mind the event ends at 4pm). Just be sure you sign in at the Art Study Center reception desk on Level 4, and be prepared to show your HUID. Please place all coats and bags in a locker before entering the study room.

The Harvard Art Museums offer free admission every day, Tuesday through Sunday. Please see the museum visit page to learn about our general policies for visiting the museums.

The Harvard Art Museums are committed to accessibility for all visitors. For anyone requiring accessibility accommodations for our programs, please contact us at am_register@harvard.edu at least 48 hours in advance.