Antoninianus of Claudius II Gothicus c. 3th century

Editor: This is the Antoninianus of Claudius II Gothicus. The artist is Claudius II Gothicus himself, I suppose. It’s a bit worn, but I can still make out some of the details. What significance do you see in its imagery? Curator: Notice how even on such a small object, the imagery broadcasts power. The radiate crown signifies divinity, drawing on solar symbolism to legitimize rule. The coin itself, as currency, embeds this message within the very fabric of the Roman economy and collective consciousness. What lasting impact do you think this had? Editor: It's fascinating how such a small object could carry so much symbolic weight. I never thought about coins as propaganda before! Curator: Exactly! The Antoninianus serves as a potent reminder of how symbols shape our understanding of history and power.