Quinarius of Octavian, Uncertain Mint, Italy 29 BCE-27 BCE

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this fascinating Quinarius, a coin issued by Octavian, crafted somewhere in Italy. It's incredibly small, barely over a gram. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by how much power is concentrated in such a tiny object. Imagine all the labor, the mining and minting, just for this little piece of silver to circulate as currency. Curator: Absolutely! And think about the portrait itself—a symbol of authority meticulously pressed into metal. It speaks volumes about Octavian's ambition. Editor: It does! This isn’t just about money; it's about materializing political control. Silver itself becomes a tool of propaganda, reinforcing Octavian’s image with every transaction. Curator: It's almost surreal how something so commonplace could carry such weight, isn't it? A tiny universe of power in your palm. Editor: Indeed! This simple coin becomes an enduring reminder of the material basis of power and image.