Coin of Maximinus Daza, Antioch 310 - 311

Editor: Here we have a coin of Maximinus Daza from Antioch. It's small, but the verdigris gives it a vibrant presence. What can you tell me about how this coin functioned within its society? Curator: Coins like these weren't just currency. They were powerful propaganda tools. The ruler's image, the inscriptions, they all conveyed messages about power, legitimacy, and the empire's values. Consider where these coins circulated, and how those populations may have received them. Editor: So, it's not just about the economics but about controlling the narrative? Curator: Precisely! Who was seeing this coin, and what did the issuer want them to think and believe? The politics of imagery shaped the daily lives of ordinary people. Editor: That's fascinating; I never thought of a coin having such influence. Thanks for shedding light on the wider context. Curator: It's a reminder that art, even in its smallest forms, is always embedded in a network of social and political forces.