Dupondius of Valerian c. 3th century

Editor: This is a Dupondius, a coin, of Valerian I. It appears to be made of bronze. It's incredible how this little object has survived so long. What symbolic meanings were commonly presented on Roman currency at this time? Curator: Indeed. Consider the two sides: one bears the Emperor's profile, a symbol of power and authority, rooted in the classical tradition. The other often depicts deities or allegorical figures. Which figures did they choose and why? Editor: In this case, it looks like a figure of a standing person. I wonder what that was intended to represent. Curator: The imagery connects the Emperor to the divine, reinforcing the idea of a divinely sanctioned rule. How does this affect our understanding of Roman society, do you think? Editor: It's fascinating to consider how these images were carefully constructed to project power and stability. I didn’t realize how much cultural weight was embedded in such a small object. Curator: Exactly! Every detail carries meaning, revealing Roman values, beliefs, and ambitions.