Fraction of Diocletian, Carthage c. 303

Editor: This is a copper coin, a "Fraction of Diocletian" from Carthage. It looks like it’s been through quite a journey! You can almost feel the weight of history in something this small. What stories do you think this little artifact could tell us? Curator: Oh, if only it could speak! I see power, empire, and the everyday grind. Diocletian's face, worn but still regal, reminds me of how leaders crave immortality through representation. Coins were ancient PR, weren't they? Editor: Absolutely! It’s interesting to consider coins as propaganda. Does the material itself say anything about Diocletian's rule? Curator: Copper speaks of practicality, maybe a touch of austerity. Unlike gold, copper coins were for the masses, the soldiers, and merchants. It's a direct connection to the economic engine of the Roman Empire. Did anything jump out at you? Editor: I guess I hadn't considered who actually used the coins. Thinking about it now, it makes it much more relatable. I can see how even tiny objects carry a lot of meaning. Curator: Exactly! It's like a little window into the past, isn't it?