Antoninianus of Claudius II Gothicus c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus of Claudius II Gothicus. Editor: Wow, you can really feel the weight of history here, even though it's small. The patina is incredible, like it's been pulled from the depths of the earth. Curator: Indeed, its surfaces possess both the dignity of age and the vibrant green of oxidization, each detail revealing the past. Editor: I love the imagery, the emperor with his radiate crown. Do you think they knew this little object would last for centuries? Curator: The radiate crown symbolizes imperial divinity. Coins like this Antoninianus reinforced political ideology but it also acted as cultural currency. Editor: It's a tangible connection, isn’t it? To lives lived so long ago. Really makes you wonder about power, legacy, all those big questions. Curator: Absolutely, and objects like this serve as potent reminders. They allow us to see how these ideas and values persist.