As of Antoninus Pius c. 145 - 161

Curator: This is a bronze coin, weighing just under 12 grams, bearing the image of Antoninus Pius. Editor: What strikes me is the wear and tear; it speaks to the coin's journey through history. Curator: Precisely. Coins like this served as powerful tools of propaganda, circulating images of the emperor and Roman ideals throughout the empire. Editor: The figure on the reverse, though worn, could represent Pax, the Roman goddess of peace, often depicted with an olive branch. The imagery reinforced Rome's power and its promise of stability. Curator: And consider the portrait of Antoninus Pius himself; the idealised features, the laurel wreath – potent symbols of his authority and perceived virtue. Editor: It really is a testament to how even the smallest objects can carry enormous cultural and political weight. Curator: Absolutely. A tangible link to the past.