Antoninianus of Claudius II Gothicus 

Editor: Here we have an Antoninianus of Claudius II Gothicus. It's small and worn, but still carries a visible portrait. What symbols stand out to you in this piece? Curator: The repeated image of the emperor, multiplied and distributed, embodies power. The wear on the coin speaks volumes—each scratch a silent testament to hands it passed through. Editor: So the coin's value isn't just monetary but symbolic? Curator: Precisely. It's a miniature billboard broadcasting the emperor's image and authority throughout the empire. Editor: Fascinating; I never thought of a coin as propaganda. Curator: Consider how potent such images must have been for people, many of whom could not read. The coin becomes a powerful, visual shorthand for the emperor's reign. Editor: I'll definitely look at coins differently now.