Sestertius of Trajan Decius c. 3th century

Editor: This is a Sestertius of Trajan Decius, a Roman coin made of bronze. It looks pretty worn. What can we learn from something as humble as an old coin? Curator: It's more valuable than it appears! Coins like this one served as propaganda. Mass produced, they circulated images and messages of power throughout the Empire. What do you notice about the imagery? Editor: Well, one side has a portrait of the emperor, and the other has... figures? Gods, maybe? Curator: Exactly. Consider what values they represent. Gods linked the emperor to divine authority, reinforcing his right to rule. These coins weren't just money; they were powerful tools of communication. Editor: I never thought about ancient coins as a form of mass media. Fascinating! Curator: Precisely! It shows how art and power have always been intertwined, even in everyday objects.