Denarius of L. Appuleius Saturninus, Rome c. 104

Curator: This is a denarius, or silver coin, created in Rome by the moneyer L. Appuleius Saturninus. Editor: It’s incredible how this little disc carries such weight. You sense the power of the Roman Republic in its iconography. Curator: On one side, we see the helmeted head of Roma, the embodiment of the Roman state, while the other features a quadriga driven by Saturninus. Editor: What strikes me is the way Saturninus so boldly puts himself on the coinage, alongside such a powerful symbol like Roma—questioning, perhaps, the traditional power structures? Curator: It speaks to his ambition, certainly, perhaps a subtle commentary on his political agenda. It seems like such a small object, but it's charged with meaning. Editor: Absolutely, these coins are like little propaganda machines, circulating messages and shaping perceptions throughout the Republic. Curator: I find it fascinating to consider how these symbols resonated then, and how they continue to speak to us today. Editor: It’s a stark reminder that even the smallest artifacts can be deeply entangled with the social and political forces of their time.