Antoninianus of Probus, Siscia 277 - 282

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus of Probus, minted in Siscia. Editor: Oh, wow, it looks like it's been on quite a journey! I love the sense of history clinging to it. Curator: As a coin, it functioned as a tool of imperial power and imagery. Notice how the portrait of Probus aims to project authority. Editor: I see him on one side, then what looks like a seated figure on the other, almost like a judge or... a deity, perhaps? There is a solemnity. Curator: It's Jupiter, signifying Probus's legitimacy and divine support, a common trope in Roman imperial coinage. Editor: So, this wasn't just money; it was propaganda, little portable endorsements of Probus himself. I wonder how many hands it passed through... Curator: Precisely! These coins were critical to the emperor's image. They circulated, influencing public perception throughout the empire. Editor: You know, even with its wear, it really brings that era to life. I can almost hear the marketplace chatter. Curator: It's a tangible link to the political and economic realities of the time. Editor: A really poignant reminder of how power and belief are often fused, wouldn't you say? Curator: I agree completely. It certainly highlights the intersection between politics, art, and daily life in the Roman Empire.