Coin of Neapolis under Trebonianus Gallus (?) 251 - 253

Curator: This is a bronze coin from Neapolis, dating to the reign of Trebonianus Gallus, a Roman emperor in the mid-3rd century CE. It weighs about 10 grams. Editor: It looks like it has been through a lot; the wear and discoloration give it such a strong sense of age. The relief is interesting, so subtle. Curator: Absolutely. The portrait of Gallus connects us to his image and authority, while the reverse shows a local architectural motif representing Neapolis, grounding the coin in its specific urban context. Editor: The architecture, rendered so small on the coin, makes me think about how rulers wanted to represent their achievements and power in the empire. It seems almost like propaganda. Curator: Indeed, and consider what the city wished to convey about itself. These images shaped public memory and identity. This object tells a very big story. Editor: A small, everyday object that carries huge cultural weight! I'm left thinking about how symbols persist and transform.