coin of Trebonianus Gallus 

Editor: Here we have a coin of Trebonianus Gallus, and it’s fascinating how a small object like this can tell such a big story. What can we learn from it? Curator: Coins are fascinating cultural artifacts. The portrait of Gallus projects imperial authority, but also reflects on the politics of image-making in the Roman Empire. How does its circulation reflect the economic and social structure of the time? Editor: So, it’s more than just currency; it’s a tool of political communication? Curator: Precisely! The imagery and inscription serve as propaganda, shaping public perception and reinforcing the emperor's power. What kind of public would this appeal to? Editor: I never considered the coin as a piece of propaganda. It's incredible how one object can be a lens into the past. Curator: Indeed. It reveals the intersection of art, power, and society.