Antoninianus of Cornelia Salonina 260 - 268

Editor: Here we have an Antoninianus of Cornelia Salonina, created by Salonina. The coin looks worn but it still has very clear figures on it. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: Considering this coin, I see a visual representation of power and identity in a patriarchal society. What does it mean for a woman's image to be circulated, literally, as currency? Editor: So, the coin isn’t just a piece of money, it's a statement about Salonina’s role? Curator: Exactly! It subtly challenges the dominance of male imagery in Roman society. How does this subversion of expectations impact our understanding of power structures at the time? Editor: I guess I hadn't considered how much these everyday objects tell us about the politics of the time. Curator: Precisely! This small coin sparks big questions about gender, representation, and power.