Coin of Amphipolis under Faustina II c. 146 - 175

Curator: Take a look at this fascinating coin of Amphipolis under Faustina II, weighing in at just over six grams. It's easy to overlook something so small, but look closer. Editor: It's like holding history in your palm, isn’t it? Though, admittedly, my first impression is that it feels rather…weathered. Like a secret whispered through centuries. Curator: Precisely! The wear and tear are part of its story. Faustina II, a Roman Empress, had these coins struck. They weren’t just currency; they were propaganda, subtly projecting imperial power. Editor: So, each coin acted like a mini-billboard? Imagine, a queen immortalized, passing from hand to hand. Makes you think about all the stories it could tell, doesn't it? It's a lovely, if a little faded, reminder of power and impermanence. Curator: Yes, a potent symbol, a material vestige imbued with layers of meaning. Editor: Absolutely, I think it's a testament to how objects, no matter how small, can carry the weight of empires. A perfect little relic.