Coin of Crispus, Arelate 321

Editor: This is a coin of Crispus, from Arelate. It's pretty small, you can see some wear and tear, but still discernible. What do you see in this piece beyond just a small piece of currency? Curator: Coins are more than money; they are tools of imperial power. Crispus, son of Constantine, appears on one side, projecting dynastic continuity. The other side would have reinforced specific political and military messages. The coin’s circulation helped disseminate these ideas throughout the empire. Editor: So, it’s like a very early form of mass media? Curator: Precisely. It is interesting to think about how such a small object played a big role in the Roman Empire. Editor: I’ll definitely look at coins differently now.