Denarius of C. Vibius C.f. Pansa, Rome 90-87 BCE

Editor: This is a Denarius of C. Vibius C.f. Pansa. It's an ancient Roman coin, so the artist is a moneyer. It's pretty small, but I'm curious about the imagery. What cultural memory does it evoke for you? Curator: The coin's imagery blends symbolic power. The head of Pansa likely represents a divine figure or ancestor, anchoring the present to a mythical past. Do you notice the inscription? Editor: Yes, it’s quite worn, but visible. Curator: It connects the image to a specific lineage and virtue. The reverse side showing the horses pulling a chariot, what do you think that evokes in viewers? Consider power, conquest, and the promise of stability. Editor: I see that now, almost like a promise of prosperity connected to the moneyer’s family. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Indeed. Symbols work on conscious and unconscious levels. We can better understand how Roman citizens saw their world by decoding them.