Coin of Tabai, Time of Gallienus c. 3th century

Curator: Looking at this coin, I’m immediately struck by its… weight. Not just physical, though at 3.62 grams it’s substantial, but the weight of history it carries. Editor: Indeed. This is a Coin of Tabai, likely from the time of Gallienus, a Roman emperor of the 3rd century. It’s amazing how these small objects can tell such big stories. Curator: It feels like a tiny, portable monument. Notice the portrait; you can almost feel the hubris radiating off of it, even after all this time. Though I wonder how representative such an image is. Editor: Well, portraits on coins were definitely tools of propaganda, meant to project power and legitimacy. The hole drilled through it speaks to its devaluation, however – perhaps it was once worn as jewelry. Curator: I love the idea of something so formally representative becoming repurposed, almost irreverent. It makes the past feel more tactile, more human. Editor: Absolutely. It's a potent reminder that even symbols of power are subject to the whims and needs of the people. These objects contain an almost infinite amount of voices. Curator: What a compelling thought to end with; it truly does feel like a conversation across millennia.