Coin of Amphipolis under the Emperor Valerian I c. 3th century

Curator: This is a bronze coin from Amphipolis, issued during the reign of Emperor Valerian I. Editor: It's fascinating to see how time has transformed it; the verdigris patina gives it an almost otherworldly quality. Curator: Coins like this were not just currency; they served as propaganda, circulating the emperor's image and messages throughout the empire. Editor: Absolutely, the iconography becomes a powerful tool for shaping public perception, reinforcing imperial authority. This coin is a direct link to the political and social structures of the time. Curator: It's a tangible reminder of the economic and political networks that tied the Roman Empire together. Editor: Looking at this object, I think about labor conditions and resource extraction, about who had access to power and who was excluded. Curator: It encourages us to consider the legacies of empires and the social dynamics embedded within them. Editor: Exactly! It's a fragment of history, inviting us to contemplate its impact on the present.