Roman Coin c. 3th century

Curator: Looking at this Roman coin featuring Probus, I can almost feel the weight of history in my hand. Editor: It has a certain, almost tactile, allure. The wear and tear speak volumes about its journey through time and hands. Curator: Indeed. Coins like these weren't just currency, they were powerful propaganda tools, aren’t they? A way to literally imprint the emperor's image and message onto the everyday lives of his subjects. Editor: Exactly! And the material itself—bronze or perhaps a low-grade silver alloy—indicates a system of resource management, reflecting the economic realities and priorities of the Roman Empire. Someone decided what metals to mine and how to mint those. Curator: I love thinking about it as a kind of intimate portrait, though. Probus gazing back at us, a silent dialogue across the centuries. Editor: For me, it’s a testament to the labor involved. Each strike of the die, each coin circulated, represents tangible human effort. Curator: It’s humbling to realize how much narrative can be contained within such a small object. Editor: Absolutely, it's a great demonstration of how art and economy are forever interlinked.