Quinarius of L. Calpurnius L.f. L.n. Piso Frugi, Rome c. 90 BCE

Editor: Here we have a Quinarius – a Roman coin – of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi. It's amazing to hold something so old! The figures are worn, but I’m curious, what stories do you think this little coin whispers? Curator: Oh, it's practically shouting stories! It's more than money; it's a tiny billboard. That head on one side, likely a deity, is a claim to legitimacy, a wink to tradition. But the figure on the other side is what I find interesting: perhaps Victoria, or a similar representation of triumph and abundance. What do you make of it? Editor: I hadn't thought of it like that; the figures just seemed like decoration! It’s amazing how much history can be packed into such a small object. Curator: Exactly. It's a personal stamp, a political advertisement, and a work of art. It reminds us that even the smallest things can tell grand tales if we listen closely.