Prutah of the Procurator Valerius Gratus (under Tiberius) 15 - 26

Curator: Here we have a "Prutah of the Procurator Valerius Gratus (under Tiberius)", issued by Valerius Gratus himself. It weighs just 1.75 grams. Editor: It feels heavy with history, doesn’t it? That aged bronze hints at the stories it could tell. Curator: Absolutely. These coins were tools of Roman control, spreading their imagery and influence. Imagine the labour, the mines, the workshops involved in producing currency for an occupied territory. Editor: It’s amazing to think about who held this coin, what they bought, and how it felt in their palm so long ago. Curator: It's a tangible link to a pivotal time, reminding us how material culture shapes our understanding of the past. Editor: Exactly, this little coin holds so much of the past.