Coin of Corinth under Antoninus Pius 138 - 161

Editor: Here we have a coin of Corinth under Antoninus Pius. It's amazing how much history can be embedded in such a small object. What can this coin tell us about the socio-political landscape of its time? Curator: This coin is a window into the Roman Empire's provincial administration. Antoninus Pius allowed cities like Corinth to maintain some degree of local autonomy, including the minting of their own coinage. The imagery would have been carefully chosen to reflect both Roman power and local identity, influencing public perception. Editor: So, the coin isn't just currency, but also propaganda? Curator: Precisely. The coin served as a medium to circulate specific messages. How do you think the local population might have interpreted images chosen for this coin? Editor: I hadn't considered the local perspective so directly. Thanks! Curator: A coin is more than just money; it's a circulating story.