Coin of Octavian, Vindobona, Gaul 36 BCE

Editor: This is a coin of Octavian, issued in Vindobona, Gaul. The imagery feels inherently political, particularly given the profiles depicted. What narratives are embedded in this object? Curator: Indeed. Consider how coinage, especially in the Roman era, served as a potent tool of propaganda, actively shaping public perception. The dual portrait on one side may signify a strategic alliance or a carefully constructed image of shared power. Editor: Shared power? Who are we to assume that the intention was genuine? Curator: Precisely! We must question the motives and the audience. This coin subtly reinforces Octavian’s dominance while potentially masking underlying tensions or power imbalances. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can reveal complex social and political dynamics. Editor: So, it is more than money - it is power? Curator: Absolutely. And remember to interrogate whose power this coin protects, and at what cost to those excluded from its imagery.