Antoninianus of Claudius II Gothicus c. 3th century

Curator: This is an Antoninianus, a coin minted during the reign of Claudius II Gothicus. Examining such an object provides insight into the economic and political landscape of the Roman Empire. Editor: The material degradation gives it a certain weight. I mean that both literally, at 2.12 grams, and figuratively; the coin’s worn surface speaks to the passage of time and the ebb and flow of power. Curator: Indeed, consider how this object functioned within systems of exchange, how it projected imperial authority, and how it was, itself, a form of propaganda. Editor: Looking at the profile of Claudius, the texture is really interesting. The relief is subtle, and you can see the ghost of detail, but it’s like trying to grasp a memory. Curator: The imagery and inscriptions were deliberately chosen to project strength and legitimacy. This coin circulated widely, shaping perceptions of the emperor and the empire. Editor: I find myself focusing on the tactile quality, imagining it passing from hand to hand. It has a real connection to the past. Curator: Precisely, it connects us to the everyday lives and political structures of the late Roman Empire in a very tangible way. Editor: Its very existence bridges a distant era to our own contemporary moment.