Denarius of Antoninus Pius, Rome c. 145 - 161

Curator: This is a silver denarius, a Roman coin, bearing the image of Antoninus Pius. Editor: The coin is damaged, worn, but the small scale amplifies the grandiosity it once possessed. Curator: The weight is 3.41 grams, and on one side we see the head of Antoninus Pius, while on the other, a classical temple is depicted. Editor: Temples are often emblems of power and control, visually representing the authority of the emperor on something as ubiquitous as currency. Curator: Precisely! The coin's imagery broadcast the emperor's authority and the empire's stability and wealth across a vast territory. Editor: The denarius served not just as currency but also as a potent symbol of cultural and political unity, a miniature monument circulating amongst the masses. Curator: Absolutely. Its value transcends monetary worth. Editor: Seeing it, I'm reminded of how symbols echo through time.