Antoninianus of Probus, Ticinum 277 - 282

Editor: We're looking at an Antoninianus of Probus from Ticinum. It's a fascinatingly worn coin. What strikes me is how much this small object tells us about power and its portrayal. What do you make of it? Curator: Coins were powerful propaganda tools. Consider the deliberate choice of imagery: rulers wanted to control their image, projecting power and legitimacy. How does the very act of mass production influence the message? Editor: That’s a good point! The quantity of coins distributed would reach a wide audience. Curator: Exactly! Think about how the messages changed depending on the coin's purpose – trade, celebration, commemoration. It’s a small object, but it opens a big window onto Roman society. Editor: I see it now!