Antoninianus of Diocletian, Lugdunum 292 - 294

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus of Diocletian, minted in Lugdunum. Notice the metallic sheen—it speaks to enduring power, doesn't it? Editor: It feels weighty, almost somber. The corrosion hints at stories untold—of power, yes, but also loss and change. Curator: Precisely. The composition of the coin is key; one side bears Diocletian's profile, the other a figure, perhaps symbolic of victory or authority. Editor: The coin offers insight into Diocletian's propaganda. This image, disseminated widely, shaped perceptions of his rule and legitimacy in a fragmented empire. Curator: I am struck by how such a small object conveys so much about imperial visual language. Editor: Agreed. Objects like this connect us directly to the socio-political currents of their time, allowing us to touch the past, quite literally.