Coin of Nikopolis under Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a bronze coin of Nikopolis under Antoninus Pius. It's heavily worn, but still legible. It feels incredibly weighty to consider the historical context this little object represents. What do you see when you look at this? Curator: I see power, literally stamped onto currency. This coin wasn't just money; it was propaganda. How did Antoninus Pius want to be seen by the people of Nikopolis? The imagery chosen reflects that carefully constructed public persona. Editor: So, the very act of minting and distributing this coin was a political statement? Curator: Precisely. Coins like this were a primary way the emperor communicated his power and values throughout the vast Roman empire. Editor: It’s amazing how much this tiny object can tell us about the politics of the time. Curator: Indeed.