As of Commodus c. 183

Curator: I’m struck by the texture; it’s like holding a little piece of time-worn earth. Editor: Indeed. This is an “As” of Commodus, attributed to the emperor himself. Curator: So, he was the artist? That's fascinating! I see the laurel wreath immediately; a visual shorthand for triumph, for power. The portrait feels almost... vulnerable, despite the claims it makes. Editor: Absolutely. Even in this diminished state, the laurel remains a potent symbol, linking Commodus to a lineage of rulers seeking to project an aura of invincibility and divine favor. Curator: It's amazing to think that something so small could carry so much weight—like condensed history. Editor: Coins were designed to be this way, they were both objects of utility and powerful icons, little ambassadors of imperial authority. Curator: Makes you think about what stories our own pocket change will tell someday. Editor: Precisely. Every object, no matter how small, carries a silent narrative.