Antoninianus of Diocletian 292

Editor: Here we have the Antoninianus of Diocletian, and it looks to be made of metal. It's a coin with a regal portrait, but it seems worn from circulation. How does the context of its use shape our understanding of its imagery? Curator: Well, coins like this were less about art for art's sake and more about projecting power. Diocletian reformed the Roman monetary system, and his image on coinage would have been a constant reminder of his authority, circulating amongst the populace. Editor: So, it's propaganda in your pocket? Curator: Precisely! And consider where these were minted, who controlled those mints, and how the imagery might have been tweaked for local consumption. The public role of art, even on a small scale, is always tied to power structures. Editor: That's something to think about. Seeing it as a tool of governance changes everything. Curator: Indeed. It makes you wonder how different rulers would use similar forms today to project influence.