Coin of Tabai, Time of Gallienus c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Tabai from the time of Gallienus. It's easy to overlook something so small, but what can this little artifact tell us about its society? Curator: This coin, like all currency, served as a form of propaganda. Its imagery would have been instantly recognizable and conveyed specific messages about power, legitimacy, and cultural values within the Roman Empire during a period of crisis. Who was meant to see and understand these messages? Editor: Well, presumably people who used the currency – merchants, soldiers, everyday citizens. Was it a tool for reinforcing Gallienus’s authority during a turbulent time? Curator: Precisely. Consider how mass media, like coinage, could be used to shape public perception and solidify political control. What does it mean for a ruler to be depicted on everyday currency? Editor: It's fascinating to consider the political weight of such a small object. I never thought of coins as a form of mass media!